Scientists in industrial research labs are often required to keep journals, and sometimes get them signed periodically from others, so that in case of legal iss

Scientists in industrial research labs are often required to keep journals, and sometimes get them signed periodically from others, so that in case of legal issues (usually patents), there is a clear paper trail. This is not a foolproof method, and multiple people can conspire to change the journals at a later date. However, it is a better system than where people don't do this. Don't think in binary. Think, whether this system provides better validation/certification than where auditors/inspectors come by at the end of the year to check records. Perhaps, it's harder to systematically cheat the system if you have to announce your data to the world daily, then if you wait till the 11th month, and cook your books so everything works out. I doubt this removes the role of auditors/inspectors, but it might supplement them.