witness mark

witness mark
 n.— «When recovering evidence for further observation, preservation of any dirt or grease mark on samples can be vital if critical evidence of its past history is not to be lost. Such trace evidence (witness marks) can help in reconstructing past movements of the sample, such as contact with older, perhaps mating parts.» —by Peter Rhys Lewis, Ken Reynolds, Colin Gagg Forensic Materials Engineering: Case Studies Sept. 29, 2003. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)