ANNEX B KEY STEPS FOR PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECURITY OF EVIDENCE Documenting testimony Handwritten notes that do not identify respondents by name are the most secure approach to documentation. It is not recommended to make audio-visual recordings of testimony. Making audio or visual recordings Audio-visual recordings may be used to document non-testimonial evidence of human rights violations, but individuals should never be filmed, photographed, or recorded without their express informed consent. If a documentation team is confident that it can make audio or visual recordings without compromising the security of any respondents or would like to document indirect evidence this way, it should:  Try to use equipment that is discreet, e.g., a camera that is small and a dark color, rather than white, silver, or reflective.  Practice using cameras in silent mode without needing to look through the lens (e.g., take shots down by the photographer’s hip or, if using a phone camera, as if the user is normally handling a phone).  Always take more than one photo of each subject.  Try to download data to an encrypted online database (such as Martus, www.martus.org); if downloading onto a personal computer, use encryption software and a secure password to lock the file. Storing evidence  Store and label evidence in a way that indicates a clear chain of custody.  Maintain a limited chain of custody wherever possible.  Store all files securely: o Do not label files in a way that the files could easily be identified; o Files with notes about an individual and/or respondents should by identified by a number and not the name of an individual; o Lists identifying interviewees should be kept separate from the substantive files; and o Duplicate files should be made and stored in a separate, secure facility.  Documentation teams may wish to use a free secure online server, such as Martus (www.martus.org), which encrypts data and gives you the option of backing it up onto a secure, remote server. 26