material integrity

the original shape, form, context, content, structure and substance of a record in the specific physical property and material form in which it was created. Damage to the material integrity of a record (tearing, blotting, melting, etc.) usually also damages the evidential integrity of the record. Transfer (or migration) of a record from one medium to another breaks the material integrity of the original record and requires extraordinary examination and care in the transfer process to assure that evidential integrity is not damaged or destroyed in the transfer process. Like continuous custody, maintaining original material integrity contributes to the confidence that the public may have in a records evidential integrity.