Abstract: A method for recording a custodial chain and identifying anomalies in the chain; said method comprising defining or identifying a first element and assigning a first element identifier to it; associating the first element identifier physically with the first element; defining or identifying at least a second element and assigning a second element identifier to it; associating the second element identifier physically with the second element; aggregating the at least first element and second element physically as an aggregated element and assigning an aggregated element identifier to it; defining an aggregated element record which includes the aggregated element identifier and the at least first element identifier and the at least second element identifier; recording the identifiers as records in a database.

Abstract: A method of uniquely identifying an item, the item being a member of a batch of nominally identical items. Each item is characterised by variability within the batch with respect to at least one inherent characteristic of the item. The at least one inherent characteristic of the item arises from a material or process used in manufacture of the item. The method includes scanning each item at a point of manufacture with respect to the at least one inherent characteristic. Data is acquired on the at least one inherent characteristic sufficient to uniquely distinguish the item from other items of the batch.

Abstract: A method for recording a custodial chain and identifying anomalies in the chain; said method comprising defining or identifying a first element and assigning a first element identifier to it; associating the first element identifier physically with the first element; defining or identifying at least a second element and assigning a second element identifier to it; associating the second element identifier physically with the second element; aggregating the at least first element and second element physically as an aggregated element and assigning an aggregated element identifier to it; defining an aggregated element record which includes the aggregated element identifier and the at least first element identifier and the at least second element identifier; recording the identifiers as records in a database.

Abstract: A method for recording a custodial chain and identifying anomalies in the chain; said method comprising defining or identifying a first element and assigning a first element identifier to it; associating the first element identifier physically with the first element; defining or identifying at least a second element and assigning a second element identifier to it; associating the second element identifier physically with the second element; aggregating the at least first element and second element physically as an aggregated element and assigning an aggregated element identifier to it; defining an aggregated element record which includes the aggregated element identifier and the at least first element identifier and the at least second element identifier; recording the identifiers as records in a database.

Abstract: A method for recording a custodial chain and identifying anomalies in the chain; said method comprising defining or identifying a first element and assigning a first element identifier to it; associating the first element identifier physically with the first element; defining or identifying at least a second element and assigning a second element identifier to it; associating the second element identifier physically with the second element; aggregating the at least first element and second element physically as an aggregated element and assigning an aggregated element identifier to it; defining an aggregated element record which includes the aggregated element identifier and the at least first element identifier and the at least second element identifier; recording the identifiers as records in a database.