How to Preserve Evidence After a Fastener Failure
What you do in the first hour decides whether the cause can ever be proved. Protect the pieces, record the scene and quarantine the lot.
Evidence checklist
| Step | Why |
|---|---|
| Photograph in place before removal | Location and orientation are lost once moved |
| Do not fit fracture faces together | Contact damages the evidence |
| Do not clean, wire-brush or oil fractures | Destroys marks and corrosion clues |
| Bag and label each piece separately | Keeps location and sequence |
| Keep mating nuts, washers and parts | Often where the cause is |
| Record torque, tool, date and installer | Installation history |
| Quarantine the lot and keep unused parts | Allows testing of the same lot |
| Keep certs and packaging labels | Traceability to manufacturer and heat |
Governing standards: ASTM E1188 and ASTM E860 (evidence practice). Editions shown are the latest confirmed as of September 2026. The drawing and the governing standard always take precedence over this sheet.
These tables carry the same figures as the printed sheet below.
The printed sheet
See an error on this sheet?
Tell us what is wrong.
Text version of this sheet
How to preserve evidence after a fastener failure
What it is
AT A GLANCE
EVIDENCE
What you do in the first hour decides whether the cause can ever be proved. Protect the pieces,
record the scene and quarantine the lot.
lot / location / date
Preserve the evidence first
Evidence checklist
Step
Why
Photograph in place before removal
Location and orientation are lost once moved
Do not fit fracture faces together
Contact damages the evidence
Do not clean, wire-brush or oil fractures
Destroys marks and corrosion clues
Bag and label each piece separately
Keeps location and sequence
Keep mating nuts, washers and parts
Often where the cause is
Record torque, tool, date and installer
Installation history
Quarantine the lot and keep unused parts
Allows testing of the same lot
Keep certs and packaging labels
Traceability to manufacturer and heat
Governing standards: ASTM E1188 and ASTM E860 (evidence practice). Editions shown are the latest confirmed as of September 2026. The drawing and the governing standard
always take precedence over this sheet.
torquing any fastener. Verify the current governing standard, project documents, OEM requirements, size, thread, coating and lot certification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Fastener App disclaims liability
arising from reliance on this reference.
Fastener Guide reference FG-ACC983 · thefastenerapp.com/fastener-guide/failure-analysis/how-to-preserve-evidence-after-a-fastener-failure · © The Fastener App. Reference only — verify the current governing standard, drawing and manufacturer data before specifying or installing.
