University of Washington researchers collaborating with DESC compared the correspondence between self-report and archival records on public service utilization over short (30 days) and longer (3 years) periods by chronically homeless people. Recall of events over the short term corresponded closely with archival records. See:
Agreement between self-report and archival public service utilization data among chronically homeless individuals with severe alcohol problems – Journal of Community Psychology (Volume 39, Issue 6, pages 631-644, August 2011)