Which step was incorrectly completed in the sixth CCF?

The choice indicating that the "released to" box was left blank is correct because this specific section of the Chain of Custody Form (CCF) is crucial for maintaining the integrity and traceability of the specimen. This box is intended to indicate who is responsible for the specimen after it has been collected, which is essential for procedural compliance and accountability. Leaving this information blank could lead to confusion or improper handling of the specimen, thus violating proper protocol.

In drug testing procedures, every detail is important for legal and ethical reasons, and ensuring that the specimen can be tracked throughout its lifecycle is a key aspect of maintaining the chain of custody. This means that any documentation that is incomplete, such as a blank "released to" section, can compromise the entire testing process.

The other steps, while important, do not have the same level of impact on the specimen's chain of custody. For example, checking the "split" specimen box, recording the time of collection, and the collector's signature are all necessary, but these do not relate directly to the identification of who has taken responsibility for the specimen post-collection. Therefore, the omission of information in the "released to" box presents a significant issue in protocol adherence.