What does chain of custody mean in digital transcript workflows?

• A. Archiving the transcript for ten years.
• B. Documenting who handled the recording and transcript from creation to delivery.
• C. Transferring ownership to the court.
• D. Encrypting all data.

Answer: (B)

Chain of custody in digital transcript workflows is the documented, auditable trail of who has handled the recording and the transcript from creation through delivery. It means recording every access, edit, transfer, and storage action, with timestamps, user identities, and system logs, so you can prove the transcript’s journey and integrity over time. This trail is essential for authenticity and admissibility: if someone questions the transcript, you can demonstrate a complete history of custody and any changes that were made.

Other ideas like archiving for a set period relate to retention, ownership transfer concerns involve who legally owns the file, and encryption speaks to protecting data in transit or at rest. None of these by themselves establish the ongoing trace of handling and changes that chain of custody requires.