Environmental · Defined
Chain of custody
Documentation tracking sample identification, handling, and transfer from collection through laboratory receipt and analysis.
Why it matters
Traceability supports interpretation but does not alone establish that the sampling design or analytical method was appropriate. Check identifiers, preservation, timing, and requested analyses.
In practice
A project example
A laboratory sample number is reconciled with the field location before its result is used in the report.
General educational guidance from KOW Building Consultants. Examples are illustrative, not project records. The applicable contract, standard, program, and jurisdiction control the requirements for a specific assignment.