What is the term for the record that documents the custody transfer of a soil sample from collection to laboratory analysis?

• A. Shipping manifest
• B. Sample register
• C. Custody ledger
• D. Chain of Custody

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that keeping a documented path of who handled a sample, when, and under what conditions is essential to ensure the sample’s identity and integrity from collection to analysis. The term for that record is Chain of Custody. It records every transfer of the soil sample—who had possession, the times and places of transfers, any changes in storage or transport conditions, and the sample’s condition at each step. This creates a traceable, auditable trail that helps confirm that the results truly reflect the original sample and protects against tampering or mix-ups.

Other options don’t fit this specific function as precisely. A shipping manifest tracks the movement of goods, not the formal custody handoffs of a sample. A sample register lists samples in a system but doesn’t document every transfer between custodians. A custody ledger is not the standard term used in environmental sampling for this purpose. Chain of Custody is the recognized term for the recorded sequence of custody transfers from collection through laboratory analysis.