In legal contexts, what generally constitutes spoliation?

Spoliation refers to the destruction or alteration of evidence that is relevant to a legal proceeding. When evidence is lost or intentionally destroyed, it can hinder the ability of parties involved in a lawsuit to present their case effectively. This loss of evidence can occur either through negligent actions, such as failing to preserve important materials, or through intentional actions, where parties deliberately destroy evidence to conceal facts.

In legal terms, spoliation can have serious consequences, including potential sanctions against the party responsible for the loss, which can influence the outcome of the case. Courts often view spoliation as a serious matter, as it undermines the integrity of the judicial process by preventing a fair assessment of the evidence.

The other choices do not align with the legal definition of spoliation. Preservation of evidence is the opposite of spoliation, as it involves taking measures to ensure that evidence remains intact. Testing of materials pertains to analyzing evidence rather than losing it, and submission of reports involves contributing findings to a legal context which does not directly relate to the concept of spoliation.