Inspection evidence is documented information that shows an inspection was performed and records what was found. In manufacturing, it commonly supports traceability, quality review, nonconformance handling, customer reporting, and audit preparation.
Inspection evidence may include measured values, pass/fail results, sampling records, annotated drawings, photos, inspection checklists, equipment or gage identifiers, operator or inspector identification, timestamps, lot or serial numbers, and electronic approvals. In digital systems, it is often linked to a work order, traveler, part characteristic, inspection plan, or quality record.
The term does not usually refer to the inspection requirement itself, such as a drawing note or work instruction. It refers to the record or artifact showing that the required check occurred and what the outcome was. It is closely related to objective evidence, inspection records, and traceability data, but the exact contents depend on the process, product risk, and quality system context.