A practical post-incident sequence for suspected theft of gold jewellery, bullion, coins or inventory. Record facts first, preserve relevant evidence, control affected access, reconcile stock and coordinate the appropriate response.
The first objective is to preserve reliable information rather than immediately deciding who is responsible. Record the affected item, last known location, expected and observed inventory, relevant custody history and available evidence. Restrict unnecessary access to the affected area while maintaining appropriate business continuity.
A suspected theft may initially appear to involve one item but can reveal a wider stock discrepancy. Compare expected records with a physical count and preserve the original records used for the comparison. Keep documented differences separate from assumptions about their cause.
Do not use this checklist to plan confrontation. Follow your organization's incident process and applicable safety and legal requirements.
Preserving relevant records and observations promptly can help maintain a clearer incident timeline.
Yes. The process works for unexplained loss, damage or discrepancy while the cause remains undetermined.