In PRESERVE THE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE!, electrical wiring expert witness Roger L. Boyell, writes:
As soon as you believe a legal action might be initiated, take pains to preserve whatever physical evidence may be relevant. Send in an investigator, take many photographs, expedite the discovery process.
Any delay allows potential evidence to be altered or disguised, as in the following real-world examples.
(2) A private telephone system was allegedly miswired allowing an electrical surge to create an ear-damaging screech. Ultimately an inspection of the system revealed a like-new professional installation with no evidence of defective materials or workmanship. Afterward it was learned that the system supplier had provided maintenance services many times post-incident, but with no record of diagrams or work orders to reconstruct what was done. Too bad the inspection wasn’t conducted earlier.