Evidence Checklist – What You Can Document

U.S. Evidence Checklist

Physical Evidence

• Photographs of injuries and scene
• Clothing worn during incident
• Weapons or objects used
• Broken or damaged personal items
• Physical items left at scene (letters, notes, gifts)

Digital Evidence

• Saved voicemails or audio recordings
• Photographs or videos stored on devices
• Social media posts or messages screenshots
• Location data from phones or apps
• Backup copies of important digital files

Messages, Calls, Emails

• Text messages and MMS saved and backed up
• Call logs showing times and dates
• Email correspondence related to the incident
• Instant messages from apps (e.g., WhatsApp, Messenger)
• Chat transcripts or saved conversations

Injury & Medical Documentation

• Medical exams and hospital records
• Doctor’s notes and injury reports
• Photographs of injuries over time
• Prescriptions and medication records
• Psychological or counseling records

Third-Party Documentation

• Witness statements or contact information
• Police reports and incident numbers
• Protective orders or legal documents
• Work or school absence records
• Written statements from counselors or advocates

Safe Storage Reminders

• Keep evidence in a secure, private location
• Use password protection for digital files
• Back up evidence in multiple formats
• Avoid sharing evidence on unsecured devices
• Consider legal advice for preserving chain of custody

For more details, visit Evidence Overview.