[Histonet] Morgue topic: Chain of Custody for personal effects

[Greg Dobbin]

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


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