Evidence lineage

The traceable history connecting evidence to its source, scope, period, control, and review decision.

Definition

Evidence lineage records where information came from, when and how it was collected, what it covered, who reviewed it, and which conclusion it supports.

Why it matters

Without lineage, a file can be current-looking but irrelevant, incomplete, or detached from the assertion it is meant to support.

Related reading

Controls and evidence