> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.monolithforensics.com/monolith/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.monolithforensics.com/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/audits.md).

# Audits

Verify evidence and storage items against their expected Monolith locations using physical inventory and audit workflows.

Audits help your organization verify that physical Evidence Items and Storage Items are where Monolith expects them to be.

Use an Audit to compare items under your control with their Monolith records, confirm their current locations, identify items that still need to be verified, and maintain a historical record of inventory checks.

Audits are especially useful for routine evidence inventories, storage reviews, and other accountability processes where your team needs to confirm that the physical item matches the information recorded in Monolith.

### How Audits Work

An Audit defines the group of Evidence Items or Storage Items your team wants to verify.

A typical workflow is:

```
Create Audit
    ↓
Identify Items to Verify
    ↓
Locate Physical Items
    ↓
Verify Each Item
    ↓
Review Audit Results
    ↓
Complete the Audit
```

Items can be reviewed and verified directly within Monolith. Organizations using Monolith labels can also use a compatible barcode or QR code scanner to quickly locate and verify items during the Audit process.

### Audits and Item Locations

Audits work alongside the location information maintained for Evidence Items and Storage Items.

As your team uses Chain of Custody and Item Locations to track where items move, Audits provide a way to periodically confirm that the physical items remain consistent with those records.

For example, an Audit can help verify items expected to be located in:

* An evidence room
* A storage shelf
* A locker or evidence cage
* A user or examiner location
* Another configured Item Location

See [**Item Locations**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/item-locations.md) for information about configuring the physical locations used by your organization.

### Using Labels and Scanners

If your organization uses Monolith Evidence or Storage labels, barcode and QR code scanning can make physical inventory checks faster.

During an Audit, scanning an item's Monolith label can quickly locate the corresponding record so the item can be reviewed and verified.

See [**Using a Scanner**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/audits/using-a-scanner.md) for the Audit scanning workflow.

For information about creating labels and the supported QR code and barcode values, see [**Item Labels**](/monolith/using-monolith/settings/item-labels.md).

### Explore Audit Features

* [**Creating Audits**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/audits/creating-audits.md)**:** Define the items that should be included in an Audit.
* [**Viewing and Accessing Audits**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/audits/viewing-and-accessing-audits.md)**:** Find existing Audits and review their status.
* [**Audit Features & Layout**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/audits/audit-features-and-layout.md)**:** Understand the information and controls available within an Audit.
* [**Auditing Items**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/audits/auditing-items.md)**:** Verify physical Evidence and Storage Items against their Monolith records.
* [**Using a Scanner**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/audits/using-a-scanner.md)**:** Use barcode or QR code scanning to speed up item verification.

### Related Documentation

* [**Evidence Items**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/evidence-items.md)
* [**Storage Items**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/storage-items.md)
* [**Item Locations**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/item-locations.md)
* [**Item Labels**](/monolith/using-monolith/settings/item-labels.md)