Why Chain of Custody Matters in Contents Restoration

How inventory tracking and documentation help improve your accountability and organization during contents restoration

Hello and welcome back to the final tip of this month’s series of Technical Tip Tuesday on contents and packouts. We’re joined by David Gavilanes from Blue Kangaroo Packoutz.

The last three week’s we’ve covered materials, labeling, prioritizing, and ultrasonic cleaning. We’re closing out the series with one of the most crucial parts of contents and packouts which is the chain of custody and inventory.

David keeps it plain and simple. At the end of the day, we’re still providing a service and you have to prove it. That’s where a strong chain of custody comes in, it allows you as restorers to clearly demonstrate that your work is organized and complete, you can justify your billing, and transparency across the entire process.

Every detail matters from the initial assessment to the packout, which means documentation is everything. You need to know how many boxes there are, how many items are in each box, how many vaults you’re using for storage, and so on. This is your inventory and it the backbone and heartbeat of this process.

The chain of custody works hand in hand with your inventory, and it goes far beyond documentation. It is rooted in accountability. This means that every item is tracked, has a time stamp, and is recorded. This eliminates guesswork and confusion. This level of transparency protects everyone involved.

The chain of custody plays a crucial role throughout the entire job, especially at the end when the contents are returned and follows the same chain of custody that allows you and your team to reconcile every single item.

This wraps up our Technical Tip Series on contents and packouts. A huge thank you to David Gavilanes for joining us and sharing his expertise.

We will see you next month for a new series of Technical Tip Tuesday. Take care!

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Kayla McGowan is the Editor-in-Chief of R&R Magazine, with 10 years of experience in marketing and communications in the restoration and cleaning industry. She leads the editorial strategy for R&R and The Experience Events, creating content that informs and connects industry professionals.

Kayla holds a B.S. in Criminal Science and M.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University. She serves as Co-Chair on the RIA’s Marketing Committee.

Kayla is a Microbial Warrior®, a Certified Forensic Operator® and a High Risk/ High Level Decontamination Specialist™. Kayla is passionate about elevating the industry, is a food lover, enjoys spending time with her family, and embracing the outdoors.