The problem
Digital objects can be copied perfectly while their contextual meaning changes. A matching hash demonstrates byte equality for compared objects, not continuous custody of every system state.
Analytical approach
Track custody events alongside collection environment, authority, scope, account identifiers and transformation history.
Falsifiable test
If the conclusion depends on context absent from the custody record, mark it as a limitation.
Operational implications
A defensible workflow should record the exact input, collection method, version, context, counter-explanation and reason for the conclusion. Reviewers should be able to disagree with the inference without losing the underlying observation. When this topic is applied to a real investigation, safety, lawful authority and domain-qualified professional guidance take precedence over a generic article.
Next research step
Publish a small case study with a documented baseline, an adversarial or failure-mode control, outcome criteria and enough data to reproduce the result. Report inconclusive findings alongside successes. This page is a research primer, not a claim that the proposed test has already been performed.
Source and revision record
Original editorial analysis and definitions. For background reference, consult the source catalog.