Documentation guide
How to Organize Evidence and Build a Clear Timeline
Learn how to organize screenshots, messages, photos, documents, and incident records into a clear chronological evidence timeline.
How should I organize screenshots and messages?
- Group each item with the incident it relates to.
- Use descriptive file names or labels.
- Keep original files when possible.
- Avoid relying on one large folder with no context.
What order should evidence be placed in?
- Use chronological order as the default.
- Within each event, group evidence by type if there are many files.
- Preserve the original date and source when possible.
How do I build a timeline from old records?
- Start with records that have reliable dates.
- Add incidents in sequence.
- Mark uncertain dates as approximate rather than guessing.
What makes an evidence timeline easy to review?
- Consistent dates
- Clear event titles
- Short factual descriptions
- Direct links between incidents and supporting records
How often should I review the timeline?
- Review it periodically to find gaps, duplicates, or missing evidence.
- Add new incidents as they happen rather than waiting.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to organize evidence?
Organize evidence by incident and date, and keep each file connected to the event it supports.
Should evidence be stored chronologically?
Chronological organization is usually the clearest starting point because it shows how events developed over time.
Can Proof decide which evidence is legally important?
No. Proof can help organize records, but it does not provide legal advice or determine legal relevance.
Keep the record organized while the details are still fresh.
Proof helps you document incidents, connect evidence, and build a chronological record in one place.
Start Using Proof FreeProof is an organization and documentation tool. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.