What is Chain of Custody?

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Chain of custody is the documented, traceable record of who has handled a water sample, when, and under what conditions, from the moment it’s collected through to analysis and reporting. This record preserves sample integrity by recording every transfer, storage conditions, custody changes, and any events that could affect the sample (like temperature changes or container integrity). It creates an auditable trail so analysts can confirm that the sample being tested is the same one that was collected and that no tampering or mix‑ups occurred. This is essential for regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and the defensibility of results.

Other options don’t fit because a standard for pH is a measurement guideline, not about tracking samples; a water treatment is a process for treating water, not documenting handling; and a chain of lab equipment refers to the tools used, not the formal record of custody and sample integrity.