> 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/item-locations.md).

# Item Locations

Item Locations allows you to keep track of where you are physically storing items in your lab and keep that record associated with your evidence and storage items in Monolith. When you assign a location to an evidence or storage item, Monolith tracks where that item sits and updates it automatically as the item moves through the chain of custody process.

### Offices and Item Locations

Item Locations are organized by **Office**.

Each Office can maintain its own Team location, Location Groups, and individual locations to reflect how evidence and storage items are handled at that facility.

If your organization has multiple offices, use the Office selector at the top of **Item Locations** to switch between their location structures.

See [**Offices**](/monolith/using-monolith/organization/offices.md) for information about creating and managing Offices in Monolith.

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CRemJPhM1s>" %}

## View your item locations

1. In the left-hand navigation, open **Evidence Management.**
2. Click **Item Locations**.

This page shows the locations configured for the selected Office. If your organization has multiple Offices, use the Office selector at the top of the page to switch between their location structures.

<figure><img src="/files/g7MLy1FnusEyM9oH7fEX" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### How locations are organized

Item Locations uses a simple hierarchy so you can recreate your physical storage in Monolith and get a digital picture of where everything is:

* **Item Locations** is the overall section.
* A **Group** represents a physical storage area, such as a long-term storage room or evidence locker.
* Inside a group, each individual location appears as a **tile**. Tiles map to the rows, shelves, bins, or however else you organize that space in reality.

<figure><img src="/files/SK0ntH9EmyQMEgG1tM2D" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
For details on creating and managing groups, see the [Item Location Groups documentation.](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/item-locations/location-groups.md)
{% endhint %}

#### Switching views

You can view your item locations in two ways, using the view toggle near the top of the page:

* **Tiles** is the default view. It shows each group with its locations laid out as tiles, giving you a visual picture of your storage.
* **Grid** shows the same locations in a table, with columns for type, office, and the number of evidence and storage items in each. This is useful for scanning details across all of your locations at once.

<figure><img src="/files/YQpzkkvgy5ccuQZ7uxgg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Team locations

Alongside any Location Groups you create, each Office has a **Team** location that Monolith creates automatically.

The Team location is populated with users assigned to that Office through **Organization > Team Management**.

<figure><img src="/files/8ggWr0OOKSQadS7c1QDH" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You cannot create a Team location using **Create Group**, but you can rename the existing Team location.

You can assign evidence and storage items to a user within the Team location. When you do, the **Current Location** shows that user's name, and the **Location Path** identifies the Office, Team location, and user.

In Grid view, the **Type** column identifies whether a location belongs to a Group or the Team location.

See **Team Management** for information about assigning users to Offices.

### See what is stored in a location

Click any tile to open it. Monolith shows a list of everything currently stored there, including both evidence items and storage items. Use the back navigation to return to the locations view.

<figure><img src="/files/saqwFVYRsC6I8EEk7AkI" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Assign a location to a new evidence item

You assign a location as part of the intake process when creating an evidence item.

1. Open the **New Evidence Item** window.
2. In the **Intake Details** section, find the **Received By** box.
3. Choose the location you want to assign from your set-up item locations.
4. Complete the rest of the intake details and save the item.

<figure><img src="/files/UXinJII0oTlRk5percGs" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Once intake is complete, scroll down to the **Evidence Overview**. You will see the **Current Location** (for example, a specific shelf) along with the full **Location Path**.

<figure><img src="/files/rHfF7noeQ5uFZvtjps0K" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Add a location to an existing item

If you open an evidence item and no location appears in the evidence details, intake has not been started for that item yet. You can assign a location by entering intake details directly from the item.

1. Open the evidence item and go to its **Chain of Custody** actions.
2. Click the **COC Actions** dropdown and select **Enter Intake Details**.
3. In the window that opens, choose a location from the dropdown in the **Received By** box, the same way you would for a new item.

<figure><img src="/files/QPXWDDnKDFcGGaNlwrZL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Assign a location to a storage item

Storage items work the same way as evidence items.

1. Open the **Storage Items** tab and create a **New Storage Item**.
2. Assign one of your item locations.
3. Click **Create Storage**.

To confirm the assignment, view the storage item. In the box on the left-hand side you will see the **Current Location** and the **Location Path**, just as you do for evidence items.

<figure><img src="/files/nZgb7ECd879l0xpAeQIf" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Location Path and chain of custody

The **Location Path** gives you the full context for where an item lives. When you have multiple item locations within an office, the path shows:

* the **office**
* the **group**
* the specific **tile** (for example, the shelf) where the item is stored

Any time an item moves through the chain of custody process, Monolith updates the **Current Location** and **Location Path** to reflect where that item currently sits. This applies to both evidence items and storage items. Because locations are used throughout intake and chain of custody workflows, configuring them before active evidence intake helps keep physical location information consistent.

### Related Documentation

* [**Offices**](/monolith/using-monolith/organization/offices.md)
* [**Team Management**](/monolith/using-monolith/organization/team-management.md)
* [**Location Groups**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/item-locations/location-groups.md)
* [**Storage Items**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/storage-items.md)
* [**Audits**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/audits.md)