Physical Destruction of Electronic Devices

A subject deliberately destroys or materially damages an electronic device to prevent or hinder its examination or the recovery of information relevant to the subject’s activity. The behavior may target organizational or personally owned laptops, desktop computers, smartphones, tablets, recording devices, or other electronic equipment used in the relevant activity. The subject may perform the destruction directly or arrange for another person or service to carry it out.

This Sub-section concerns destruction directed at the device as a complete item, rather than a separately targeted storage component. The damage may impair access to information without rendering every component unusable, and successful prevention of recovery is not required. Classification requires evidence connecting the damage to an intention to conceal relevant activity or frustrate investigation. Accidental damage, ordinary hardware failure, authorized disposal, or loss of device connectivity does not independently establish the behavior.