Which practice ensures traceability of SCI transmission handling?

• A. Documentation of chain-of-custody detailing who handled the material and when.
• B. No documentation is required for routine transmissions.
• C. Only the sender’s name is needed for a record.
• D. Chain-of-custody is only required for hard copies.

Answer: (A)

Maintaining a chain-of-custody log is the way to ensure traceability of SCI transmission handling. By recording who handled the material and when, you create a continuous, auditable trail from the point it leaves to the point it arrives. This makes it possible to verify integrity, hold each handler accountable, detect any tampering or loss, and support investigations or audits. It also aligns with safeguarding requirements that apply to SCI, where knowing the chain of custody is essential for trust and compliance.

The other options fall short because they either omit essential details or apply only partially. Documentation is not just for unusual or non-routine cases—it covers routine transmissions as well. Recording only the sender’s name neglects other intervening handlers and timestamps, so you lose the full trace. Limiting chain-of-custody to hard copies ignores electronic or other forms of transmission, which still require traceability.