Systems and methods for tracking samples via sample tracking chains are presented. Sample tracking chains represent digital data structures instantiated according to intrinsic properties of a sample. Each link in the chain is a block of data representing an observed intrinsic state of the sample and is linked at least to a previous block representing a previous state. The sample tracking chain and blocks can be indexed for later retrieval by the intrinsic properties of the corresponding sample's state. The sample tracking chain can take the form of a blockchain possibly stored as part of a private or public distributed ledger. Disclosed sample tracking chains provide a full life cycle audit trail for sample processing.