Building a Case Chronology
Chronology is the spine of a complicated matter. It should connect events to sources without turning uncertainty into false precision.
Use one event per entry
Record the date/time, event, source, actor, and why the event matters. Keep commentary separate from the event description.
Mark certainty
Exact date, approximate date, inferred sequence, and disputed date are not the same thing. Label uncertainty rather than smoothing it away.
Link every important event
A chronology entry should point to the underlying message, record, filing, screenshot, provider response, or other source whenever one exists.
Track contradictions
When two records conflict, preserve both and note the conflict. Do not quietly pick the version that helps your preferred story.
Maintain the chronology
New records should extend or correct the chronology rather than creating a second competing timeline.