Chain of Custody

Chain of custody documentation tracks samples from collection through final assay reporting. Purpose - Prevent sample tampering or loss - Enable audit trail for data verification - Meet regulatory and reporting requirements - Support legal defensibility of data Documentation Requirements Field Level - Sample ID and type - Collection date, time, and location - Collector name - Sample description Shipment Level - Bag/container seal numbers - Shipment date and courier - Receiving laboratory - Chain of custody form signatures Best Practices - Use tamper-evident bags or seals - Photograph samples before shipping - Maintain digital backup of all records - Verify receipt with laboratory

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Previous lesson: Duplicate Sample Analysis — Duplicate samples measure the precision and reproducibility of sampling and analytical procedures. Types of Duplicates Field Duplicates Second sample…
Next lesson: Laboratory Selection — Choosing the right laboratory is critical for obtaining reliable assay results. Key Criteria Accreditation - ISO 17025 accreditation required - Check…

Verification resources

Cross-check terminology, classification, methods, and safety with these authoritative external resources.

Mineral Exploration Best Practice Guidelines — Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. Professional guidance for representative sampling, chain of custody, laboratories, security, and QA/QC.
National Instrument 43-101 — British Columbia Securities Commission. Canadian mineral-project disclosure requirements and related technical-report framework.

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Chain of Custody

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Verification resources