End-to-End Custody Logs
Capture every custody transfer with timestamps, user IDs, and location details.
LIMS IQ
Specimen traceability
DOC CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY-AUDIT-TRAIL
REV 2026-08
REV 2026-08
CHAIN OF CUSTODY & AUDIT TRAIL
LIMS IQ records custody transfers with handler, timestamp, and location details, then keeps edits, approvals, and aliquot lineage in one reviewable audit history.
- Custody Logs
- Barcode Handoffs
- Immutable Audits
- Derivative Tracking
Every handoff logged
Capture user, timestamp, and location at each custody transfer from collection through accessioning, testing, and disposal.
Tamper-evident edits
Result amendments, approvals, and corrections are recorded with prior values and reviewer identity for defensible audit review.
Parent-child lineage
Track aliquots, slides, and downstream derivatives back to the originating specimen for full traceability across the workflow.
Product view
Every sample movement documented. Every action traceable.
COMPLETE, DEFENSIBLE TRACEABILITY
Operational viewFrom intake to disposal, track custody changes, location updates, and result edits with full accountability.
- End-to-end custody logs with timestamps, handlers, and locations
- Barcode-driven specimen movement at every handoff
- Immutable audit trails for edits, approvals, and result changes
- Audit-ready custody reports for QA, legal, and compliance review
- Parent-child lineage for aliquots, slides, and downstream derivatives
- Configurable controls to support CLIA, CAP, and HIPAA workflows
Key Capabilities
6 capabilitiesExplore the core capabilities available for this laboratory workflow.
Barcode-Driven Movement
Scan specimens at each handoff to reduce manual errors and enforce custody protocols.
Tamper-Evident Audit Trails
Record all record edits, result changes, and approvals with immutable event history.
Chain-of-Custody Reports
Generate audit-ready reports for internal QA, compliance reviews, and legal documentation.
Aliquot & Derivative Tracking
Maintain parent-child lineage when samples are split or processed into DNA/RNA.
Compliance-Ready Controls
Support CLIA, CAP, and HIPAA processes with configurable access and review workflows.
Frequently asked questions
5 answers on file
Q01
How does LIMS IQ keep the audit trail tamper-evident?
The audit trail is append-only: events are written, never edited or deleted in place. Every entry records who performed an action, when, on which record, and what changed. Corrections and amendments are stored as new entries that reference the original, so the history reads as a complete sequence rather than a single overwritten state.
Q02
Which workflows is the chain-of-custody module designed for?
The module supports any workflow where defensible specimen handling matters, including forensic toxicology, employer drug testing programs, court-ordered testing, and chain-of-custody-required clinical work. Custody events such as collection, sealing, transfer, receipt, and storage are captured with collector and recipient identity at each step.
Q03
Can we generate a chain-of-custody report for a specific case?
Yes. A case-level report can be produced for any specimen, listing each custody event, the personnel involved, timestamps, and any notes. The report is suitable for inclusion in legal or compliance packets and reflects exactly what is in the audit trail without manual transcription.
Q04
How long are custody and audit records retained?
Retention requirements vary by program and jurisdiction. LIMS IQ preserves timestamped custody events and immutable audit history on the specimen record and can generate a case-level custody report for QA, legal, or compliance review. During implementation, confirm the required retention period, archival or export format, and disposal controls for your laboratory's policies and contracted scope.
Q05
Does the chain-of-custody flow work with mobile collections?
Yes. Custody events triggered in the field by phlebotomists or collectors flow into the same audit trail as in-lab events. Hand-offs to couriers and receipt at the lab are captured as discrete events, so the chain remains continuous from collection through final disposition.
Related guides
Buyer's guides on the workflows this lab type runs- Best Cloud LIS for Small Labs & POLs 2026 How to pick a cloud LIS for a small or physician office lab: the criteria that matter, a public-facts comparison table across six vendors, which system fits which lab, and how to run a two-week evaluation.
- CGM LabDAQ Alternatives for Physician Office Labs What CGM LabDAQ is publicly positioned for, the qualitative reasons physician office labs evaluate alternatives, the criteria to score, and a fair look at LIMS IQ Lite ($999/month published), Clinisys Harvest, Dendi and LigoLab.
- Dendi LIS vs LIMS IQ: Pricing & Fit Compared A side-by-side of Dendi LIS and LIMS IQ using only what each vendor publishes as of September 2026: pricing model and figures, fees, implementation claims, interfaces, portals, billing, compliance areas, and which lab each fits.
Related resources
Expert guidance on workflows, compliance, and lab operations- LIMS IQ Featured by Visionaries Network Visionaries Network featured LIMS IQ and CEO Skye Shearer in its Trustworthy Companies of the Year 2026 issue.
- Biobank Freezer Inventory & Cycle Counts Learn how a biobank LIS keeps freezer inventory accurate with position-level storage, barcode moves, cycle counts, transit state, and location history.
- LIMS IQ Named to CIO Bulletin's Best Companies to Watch 2026 CIO Bulletin included LIMS IQ in its Best Companies to Watch 2026 list, profiling the cloud-based LIS platform for modern clinical and specialty labs.
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