Investigate. Verify. Protect.

Module 4 - Document

Organise and preserve evidence securely and ethically for journalism, advocacy, or accountability processes.

Contents

Overview
Objective
Safety Consideration
Detection identifies signals. Verification tests them. Analysis interprets them. Documentation preserves them.

In conflict environments, digital evidence can disappear quickly. Content is deleted, accounts are suspended, posts are edited, and platforms remove material. Without structured documentation, critical evidence may be lost, misused, or rendered unusable for journalism, advocacy, or legal accountability.

This module focuses on responsible evidence preservation. It supports journalists and civil society actors in organising, storing, and safeguarding digital material in ways that protect sources, maintain integrity, and strengthen accountability pathways.

Documentation is not only technical. It is ethical and protective.
To strengthen the ability to document digital evidence securely, systematically, and ethically for use in journalism, advocacy, and accountability processes.

By the End of This Module, You Will Be Able To:

  • Identify what constitutes usable digital evidence
  • Preserve content with essential contextual information
  • Maintain basic chain-of-custody principles
  • Protect sensitive material and vulnerable sources
  • Organise documentation for clarity and future use
  • Recognise ethical and security risks in evidence handling
Store evidence securely. Protect metadata and sensitive identities. Poor documentation practices can expose sources or compromise investigations.