Custody seal

Another part of legal documentation used in sample handling is the custody seal shown in Appendix 10. A custody seal is a narrow paper or plastic strip with adhesive backside. Custody seals were introduced for use on sample containers with samples explicitly collected for projects in litigation. A signed and dated custody seal placed in the field on each sample container connects the container and its lid. A broken custody seal discovered by the laboratory in the course of sample receiving indicates that a sample has been tampered with. There is no reason to use custody seals in this manner on projects that are not under litigation. Flowever, as an external security measure, we may place two custody seals on the front and rear sides of the shipping container lid. 

If required by the project SAP, place dated and signed custody seals on the front and on the back side of the lid to seal cooler. 

Were custody seals, if used, intact when samples were received at the laboratory ... 

Were custody seals intact at the date and time of arrival Yes No... 

Sample custody, more formally referred to as Chain-of-Custody procedures, should be described in an SOP and reviewed. These procedures are necessary to ensure sample integrity and identification from collection through transport to the laboratory, to subsequent analysis and reporting. Various methods can be used from hand-written sheets on which logging-in and out, storage, and responsible personnel are indicated, to computerized bar code setups, to more stringent systems in which sealed vials are used. Whatever system is used, it should be adequate for the operation and specified either in an SOP or a study-specific protocol or work plan. 

Was the chain-of-custody form sealed in a plastic bag and taped inside to the lid Yes No... 

Physical evidence collected at crime scenes is sealed in special containers to prevent contamination and degradation and is catalogued carefully. A chain of custody is established and documented as the evidence is sent to a forensic laboratory. At the laboratory, the evidence is examined by personnel trained in one of several fields Forensic serologists examine body fluids, forensic pathologists examine human remains, firearms technicians classify and test firearms and explosives, and forensic chemists determine the composition and identity of materials. 

During transport, OPCW custody of samples is maintained by the OPCW seals (fibre optical, frangible) on the primary, secondary, and intermediate packaging containers. The integrity of these seals ensures the integrity of the samples in regard to tampering. 

The collector must use a custody and control form (CCF), place fictional initials on the specimen bottle label/seal, indicate for the medical review officer (MRO) on Copy 2 of the CCF that the specimen is a bhnd specimen, and discard Copies 4 and 5 of the CCF and... 

Any item or debris suspected of containing accelerant residue should be collected in a tightly sealed, clean, and previously unused paint can, a special evidence bag, or a clean glass jar to prevent further evaporation. The container should be of size similar to the amount of debris but should be no more than three-fourths full, leaving sufficient headspace volume for subsequent laboratory analysis. Care should be taken to avoid contamination as this will compromise the value of the evidence. The container should be labeled with the investigator s name as well as the date, department, location, area from which the sample was taken, case numbei and description of the item or contents. The chain of custody must be maintained if the evidence is to be used in court. 

Samples were collected utilizing a sampling kit that featured individually sealed collection tools to avoid sample cross-contamination. For the CBDE exercise, samples were collected by personnel in full protective gear. The different sample types included soils, liquids, and swipes from a CW pilot plant. These samples were collected near or from chemical storage tanks and suspect CW production equipment. Using a "chain of custody" protocol, the samples were processed at the sample work-up station for analysis. 

The driver and the collection site personnel completing the custody and control form that will travel with the specimen and the results. Note If the driver leaves, or becomes combative and is asked to leave, before the custody and control form is completed and the specimens sealed for shipment, the driver is considered as having refused the tested. A refusal has the same consequences as failing a test. 

Recommendations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for proper sealing md transmittal of evidence should be followed. Sample integrity and chain of custody may be Important for cases involvir Insurance claims or litigation. 

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