Time Zones, Clock Drift, and Timestamp Errors That Can Distort a Military Case Timeline

Independent Military Defense Investigations

Supporting Attorneys, Service Members, and Families

Publication Date: August 24, 2026

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Executive Summary

DI-118 explains how defense teams preserve, validate, and report the evidence behind timestamp errors in military case timelines.

Never overwrite a raw timestamp. Preserve the source value, identify its clock and time standard, and place every conversion in a separate, documented field.

DI-118 provides a counsel-directed framework for preserving original evidence, reconstructing its history, testing attribution and completeness, and documenting what the available sources can and cannot establish.

The publication emphasizes reproducibility, native material, metadata, independent corroboration, and careful reporting rather than accepting a report, label, or copy at face value.

The objective is a transparent record that allows counsel and qualified experts to evaluate the evidence without losing the original context or limitations.

Who Should Read This Publication?

Military Defense Counsel

Use the verified record to direct discovery, expert review, authentication, admissibility, and litigation strategy.

Defense Investigators

Preserve originals, map sources and custodians, reconstruct chronology, test corroboration, and document limitations.

Service Members

Understand why original devices, records, access information, and accurate timelines should be preserved and provided promptly to counsel.

Experts

Address a defined technical question using complete underlying materials, reproducible methods, and clearly stated limitations.

Families

Preserve any record that might aid your family member's case: documents, receipts, recordings; anything that might have a date on it. Relevant originals and background information without editing evidence, contacting witnesses, or accessing accounts independently.

Download the Official Authority Publication (PDF)

Companion Video

This companion video expands on the investigative concepts presented in this Authority Publication through additional explanation, practical examples, and professional investigative insight.

About Michael West

The investigative guidance presented throughout these Authority Publications is based upon decades of professional experience conducting military, federal, criminal, civil, and private investigations. The principles discussed in these publications are drawn from real investigative work involving complex cases, witness development, evidence analysis, and factual case preparation.

Michael West has served as a Special Agent with the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) and the Department of Defense Inspector General, conducted federal background investigations, and spent decades working as a licensed private investigator supporting attorneys, businesses, service members, and private clients. Throughout his career, his work has focused on identifying facts, locating witnesses, analyzing evidence, and strengthening the factual foundation of legal cases through independent investigation.

The Military Defense Investigation Knowledge Base was created to share that investigative experience in a practical, understandable format. Its purpose is to help attorneys, service members, and families better understand the investigative process, ask more informed questions, and recognize opportunities where independent investigation may strengthen the defense.

Important Information

This Authority Publication is provided for educational and informational purposes and is intended to help readers better understand military defense investigations and the investigative process. It is based upon professional investigative experience and is designed to provide practical investigative insight rather than legal advice.

Every military case is unique. The investigative strategies, factual issues, and legal considerations applicable to one case may not apply to another. Readers should consult with a qualified attorney regarding legal rights, legal strategy, and decisions involving their individual circumstances.

Nothing contained in this publication should be interpreted as creating an attorney-client relationship or an investigator-client relationship. References to investigative techniques, procedures, or case examples are provided solely to illustrate investigative principles and should not be considered legal guidance.

Effective military defense is strengthened by informed legal representation supported by thorough factual investigation. The purpose of these Authority Publications is to help readers better understand that investigative process so they can communicate more effectively with qualified legal counsel and make informed decisions throughout the military justice process.