Investigations often depend on information gathered from many places: records, websites, interviews, correspondence, databases and other materials. An investigation source log provides one place to record where information originated, how it relates to the matter, what has been verified and what still needs follow-up.
What to record in an investigation source log
A useful source log can include a source identifier, source type or origin, date accessed or received, a concise description, relevance, verification or review status, corroborating information, conflicts and the next follow-up action. The objective is to preserve context so a finding can be traced back to where it came from.
Source tracking is different from a case timeline
A timeline organizes events chronologically. A source log organizes the material supporting, contradicting or informing those events. Linking the two concepts helps prevent a chronology entry from becoming detached from the information that supports it.
A practical source-review workflow
- Record the source when it is first used rather than reconstructing the list later.
- Identify what information the source contributes.
- Separate source origin from conclusions drawn from it.
- Record whether important information has been corroborated or conflicts with another source.
- Flag unresolved questions and follow-up.
- Update the record when verification status changes.
Start with the free CaseWorks timeline
If you primarily need chronology plus source and verification fields, use the free Investigation Timeline Template. No signup is required.
For a more focused source-documentation workflow, see the CaseWorks Source & Evidence Documentation Pack. It is an organizational resource for documenting source origin, relevance, review status, corroboration, conflicts and follow-up.
Keep organizational documentation distinct from formal evidence procedures
A general source log can improve organization, but it does not by itself establish authenticity, admissibility, chain of custody or compliance with an organization's evidence procedures. Those requirements depend on the applicable context, policies and law.
CaseWorks resources are general organizational tools. They are not official law-enforcement forms and do not provide legal advice or establish evidentiary or chain-of-custody requirements.