It is unlikely that judges will admit documents pertaining to serious human rights violations as evidence in court if they cannot satisfactorily identify the answers to these questions. And while not having the answers does not always prevent other (non-judicial) forms of redress from using the information, being able to provide answers to such questions will enhance the credibility of the information no matter how it is ultimately used. It may prove impossible to establish the answers to these questions after original collection or transfer of custody. The original custodian may no longer be available to answer these questions or the location where the documents were collected from may no longer be accessible. Memories fade and can be unreliable when asked to provide the answers to the questions above. Upon transfer of a document, the original custodian of the document is often in the best position to answer these questions. If not recorded during transfer of custody, information on the source and context of the document may be lost for good. Make sure to record the answers to these questions as soon as practically possible when becoming the custodian, including as much circumstantial information as possible. Many professional investigators attach a summary sheet or cover letter containing the answers to the questions listed above in as much detail as possible when storing documents of potential evidentiary value. 81 They moreover have the original and/or new custodian sign the summary sheet or cover letter. This is a template summary sheet or cover letter that PILPG made on the basis of templates that expert investigators use. It provides explanatory texts in the boxes to outline what information is required and why. The template is also provided in the Appendix to this Handbook. In each of the sections of the template, a brief note is added explaining what information is required and why. http://folkebernadotteacademy.se/Documents/Kunskapsomr%C3%A5den/Rule%20of%20Law/A%20Hand book%20on%20Assisting%20International%20Criminal%20Investigations.pdf. 81 Marie Nystedt (Ed.), Christian Axboe Nielsen, Jann F. Kleffner, A Handbook On Assisting International Criminal Investigations, THE FOLKE BERNADOTTE ACADEMY, 60 and 90 (2011). 63

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