Final answer:
The audit trail in an EDI system relies on computer activity logs to track failed transactions, ensuring integrity and allowing for the rectification of issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The essential element of the audit trail in an electronic data interchange (EDI) system is D. Computer activity logs that indicate failed transactions. These logs are crucial for tracking and verifying the sequence of activities that have occurred, thereby ensuring that all data transactions are accounted for and can be reviewed if there are issues or discrepancies. Such logs contribute significantly to the security and integrity of an EDI system by allowing auditors and system administrators to detect anomalies and prevent or rectify issues that could compromise the system or the data being exchanged.