Scene-to-Laboratory Transfer Record
Definition
The portion of the chain of custody covering the movement of samples from the scene or mortuary to the receiving laboratory, including transfer temperature, transit time, and the signatures of the handing and receiving parties.
- Part of
- Chain of custody
- Covers
- Movement from scene or mortuary to laboratory
- Records
- Transfer temperature, transit time, signatures
- Purpose
- Document unbroken sample custody
Common questions
Why record transit temperature specifically?+
Many biological and toxicological samples degrade if not kept within a defined temperature range, so a temperature record lets a later analyst assess whether a result could have been affected by improper storage during transport.
What happens if a transfer record has a gap?+
A gap creates an opportunity to challenge the sample's integrity in court, since it cannot be proven the evidence was continuously accounted for and unaltered between the scene and the laboratory bench.
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