I wouldn't call it a chain of custody but we do log in personal effects when a body is delivered to the morgue. It is logged in and out on the morgue log. We also document the funeral home, pick up service, etc.. took the personal belongings with them with the body. The funeral home signs the log as well as pathology or nursing staff. (whoever releases the body for the hospital)
Hazel Horn Hazel Horn, HT/HTL (ASCP) Supervisor of Histology Arkansas Children's Hospital 1 Children's Way Slot 820 Little Rock, AR 72202 phone 501.364.4240 fax 501.364.3155 visit us on the web at: www.archildrens.org -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Greg Dobbin Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 2:24 PM To: Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Morgue topic: Chain of Custody for personal effects Hi Folks, Can any of you share with me your procedure for ensuring chain of custody for personal effects of decedents. Along with documenting a clear procedure for all stakeholders to abide by, I also need to solve some the practical aspects like what to use for a tamper-resistant bag for the effects and should I have a 3-part form (1 copy for us, 1 for the Commissionaire and 1 the funeral home) that lists all the personal items, money etc. Jewellery is only removed if there is a risk of damage (eg wrist watches, necklaces). Piercings are generally not removed. Rings are usually taped. A little background info: Most of the decedents we receive in our morgue are "at the back door", usually via ambulance (our coroner system does not have their own vehicles) or from the ER. Occasionally we will get a hospital case from the nursing floors. The Commissionaire (security) receives the bodies and unlocks the morgue for delivery. The pathologist on call is notified and an autopsy is scheduled. After the autopsy we inform the Commissionaire that the remains have been released and he/she in turn notifies the funeral home and looks after signing the remains over to the funeral home staff. Thank you! Greg Greg Dobbin, R.T. Chief Technologist, Anatomic Pathology Dept. of Laboratory Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, P.O. Box 6600 Charlottetown, PE C1A 8T5 Phone: (902) 894-2337 Fax: (902) 894-2385 "I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." - Thomas Jefferson ------------------------- Statement of Confidentiality This message (including attachments) may contain confidential or privileged information intended for a specific individual or organization. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately. If you are not the intended recipient, you are not authorized to use, disclose, distribute, copy, print or rely on this email, and should promptly delete this email from your entire computer system. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. Thank you. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet