Boundary-Based Approach to Chain of Custody

A boundary-based approach to the implementation of a Chain of Custody (CoC) system to the weapons dismantlement lifecycle has been developed over the past few years. The boundarybased approach uses a prescribed methodology to frame the dismantlement verification problem that results in a description of dismantlement processes and CoC measures in a graphical flowchart form. This approach has potential to be a tool in future arms control agreements to: 1. Describe dismantlement activities and associated CoC measures to treaty negotiators in a condensed graphical format to aid in making more informed decisions during treaty negotiations. 2. Aid in the identification of processes where CoC measures are needed and the types of CoC technologies/approaches that should be used for improved confidence in the treaty verification regime. 3. Provide a visual aid to describe the dismantlement steps and associated CoC measures to host and inspector teams during treaty verification visits.