How is the chain of custody maintained for physical SCI?

• A. Chain of custody is not tracked
• B. A documented handoff log records who handled it, when, and where; ensure secure transfers
• C. Handoff is done verbally with no logs
• D. Chain of custody is recorded only in annual reviews

Answer: (B)

Maintaining the chain of custody for physical SCI hinges on having an auditable, transparent record of every transfer and handoff. This ensures accountability, preserves the item’s integrity, and makes it possible to identify who had access and when. The best approach is a documented handoff log that records who handled the item, when the transfer occurred, and where it went, along with secure transfer steps. This creates a traceable, tamper-evident trail that helps detect gaps, losses, or contamination and reinforces that only authorized personnel with proper clearance touch the item. Verbal handoffs without a log provide no verifiable evidence of custody and can be disputed, which undermines accountability. Relying solely on annual reviews misses real-time custody events and won’t capture day-to-day transfers. So, using a documented handoff log for secure transfers is the correct method.