Why it matters
For genomic work, provenance can connect a specimen, an extracted sample, sequence files, software runs, and a final report. It helps a reader understand how a result came to exist and what evidence supports that history.
A practical example
Imagine a published analysis is revised. A provenance record identifies the input files and software version behind each edition, allowing reviewers to determine what changed and why.
An important distinction
Provenance is broader than a list of physical handoffs. It includes analytical transformations, but a well-documented process can still be mistaken. The site's proposed GPI scale assesses verifiability; it does not certify biological truth.
Sources and further reading
- PRIMARY SOURCE NIST: Chain of custody
The example above is hypothetical. Related cases provide context; they do not imply that every case involved this mechanism.