Should an auditor ever take original records with him after an audit?

An auditor should never take original records with them after an audit because maintaining the integrity and security of the organization's documentation is paramount in any quality management system. Original records are often sensitive and could include proprietary or confidential information that, if mishandled, may lead to compliance issues or data breaches.

By not removing original documents, the auditor respects the organization's control over its records and ensures that all evidence remains within the organization's custody, aiding in transparency and accountability. Additionally, keeping records on-site allows for easy access for future reviews or follow-up audits.

The other choices suggest scenarios where it might be acceptable to take documents, which could compromise the security and reliability of the audit process and the documentation itself, disregarding the foundational principles of quality management regarding records management.