Evidence Handling 101: How to Collect, Store, and Use Documents Responsibly
Purpose
This guide explains how to safely handle documents, records, and files used on EpsteinWiki, from first discovery to publication.
It is designed for:
- Contributors
- Researchers
- Journalists
- Advocates
You do not need legal training to follow this guide. You do need care, consistency, and restraint.
What Counts as Evidence on EpsteinWiki
Evidence includes, but is not limited to:
- Court filings and exhibits
- FOIA responses
- Emails and correspondence
- Financial and banking records
- Travel and aviation records
- Photographs and scanned documents
- Audio or video descriptions
- Investigative journalism archives
See:
Core Principle: Preserve Before You Share
Before uploading, posting, or citing any material:
Stop. Preserve. Document. Then proceed.
Rushing is how context gets lost and credibility gets damaged.
Step 1: Preserve the Original
Always preserve the original file or source first.
That means:
- Do not rename the file
- Do not edit the content
- Do not crop screenshots
- Do not convert formats unless necessary
If the source is online:
- Save a copy
- Capture the URL
- Note the date and time accessed
Related protocol:
Step 2: Record Basic Metadata
For every piece of evidence, record:
- Source (court, agency, publication, individual)
- Date created (if known)
- Date obtained
- File type (PDF, image, email, etc.)
- Any known redactions or omissions
This information belongs on:
- The Evidence Page
- The Document Page
- Or both, depending on context
Helpful reference:
Step 3: Do Not Alter Evidence
Never:
- Add annotations to the original file
- Highlight or mark originals
- Edit screenshots
- Remove watermarks
If explanation is needed:
- Create a separate explanatory note
- Quote exact language
- Link back to the untouched source
Altering evidence undermines trust.
Step 4: Understand Redactions
Redactions are common and do not mean the document is useless.
When handling redacted material:
- Do not guess what is hidden
- Do not fill in blanks
- Do not imply meaning beyond what is visible
Related guidance:
Step 5: Context Matters More Than Volume
One well-contextualized document is more valuable than fifty dumped files.
Every evidence page should answer:
- What is this?
- Where did it come from?
- Why does it matter?
- What does it not show?
See examples in:
Step 6: Cross-Link Carefully
Evidence should be linked to:
- People pages
- Organization pages
- Case pages
- Timeline entries
Do not over-link.
Do not force relevance.
Use:
Step 7: Respect Privacy and Harm Reduction
Some material requires extra caution, including:
- Survivor testimony
- Medical records
- Information involving minors
- Home addresses or personal contact details
Before publishing, review:
Not everything needs to be public to be preserved.
Step 8: Avoid Speculation
Evidence speaks for itself.
Do not:
- Assign motive
- Infer intent
- Conflate proximity with participation
- Treat allegations as conclusions
Use:
- Direct quotations
- Clear attribution
- Neutral language
Related standards:
Step 9: If You Are Unsure, Pause
If you are unsure:
- Do not publish immediately
- Ask moderators
- Flag the material for review
Relevant process:
Caution is a strength, not a failure.
Why This Matters
Poor evidence handling:
- Harms survivors
- Enables disinformation
- Exposes contributors to risk
- Undermines public trust
Careful handling:
- Strengthens accountability
- Protects contributors
- Preserves historical accuracy
EpsteinWiki exists because details matter.