How to preserve evidence so it holds up

Evidence is only as strong as its integrity. The goal is to be able to show, later, that what you're presenting is genuine and unaltered. These habits help.

Keep the originals

Never delete the original file, message, or email — even after you've made a copy. The original, in its original place, is often the most credible version. If you can, avoid editing, cropping, or re-saving it.

Capture context, not just content

A screenshot of a message is weaker on its own than a screenshot that also shows who sent it, when, and where.

• ▹Include the full URL of any web page or post, not just the visible text.
• ▹Capture the date and time — both what's shown on screen and, ideally, your device's own clock.
• ▹Show the sender's name or handle and the surrounding conversation, so nothing looks taken out of context.
• ▹Where possible, also save the page itself (for example, 'Save as PDF' or the platform's own download/export tool), not only an image of it.

Make a fingerprint (hashing)

A 'hash' is a short fingerprint calculated from a file. If even one pixel or character of the file changes, the fingerprint changes completely. Recording the hash of an important file when you first save it lets you demonstrate later that the file hasn't been altered since. Free tools can generate a hash (commonly called SHA-256) for any file; note the value alongside the file and the date you captured it.

Back it up

Keep at least two copies in separate places — for example, your device plus secure cloud storage — so a lost or broken phone doesn't erase your case. NovamLegal offers secure evidence storage to help with exactly this. Keep a simple log of what each item is, where it came from, and when you saved it.

Good to know

Rules about how evidence must be handled and presented vary. This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws and deadlines vary by place and change over time, so confirm anything specific to your situation with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.