Module 2
Sources of evidence and preserving them: documents, objects, digital records, witnesses and experts, reliability, chain of custody and holds
A fact that cannot be proved is only a story. Proving it means finding sources of evidence, judging how far each can be trusted and keeping them in a state in which a court or the other side can rely on them. This module lists the main kinds of source, gives the questions that test their reliability, explains the practical steps that protect evidence (originals, chain of custody, metadata, preservation letters, holds) and sets out the usual ways of obtaining evidence from people who do not want to give it. Rules of disclosure, privilege and admissibility differ between systems, so the module teaches the habits and leaves the local rules to you.
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See what is included in All-Access →General education on investigating facts and forming a case theory, using invented people, businesses, documents and events. It is not legal advice, it does not state the law of any country and it is not a substitute for your own professional code, your regulator’s guidance or the rules of your court. Do not use it as a guide to contacting witnesses, recording conversations or gathering evidence in a real matter without the advice of a qualified lawyer in the place concerned.
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