WDH-077 Websites, Domains & Internet Infrastructure
What can an archived version of a website prove?¶
An archive may show what a service captured from a particular URL at a recorded time. It is not necessarily a complete or exact copy of the live site.
Evidence to consider¶
- archive URL;
- capture timestamp;
- investigator access date;
- displayed version;
- missing media or scripts;
- corroborating screenshots, messages or provider records.
Interpret the result carefully¶
Technical records may identify a service, account, device or request rather than the person responsible. Preserve exact dates, times and time zones, and test shared access, automation, compromise and changing infrastructure where relevant.
Key takeaway
An archive does not by itself prove authorship, universal visibility or how long the content remained online.