Optical
character recognition (OCR) is one of the most important stages of
e-discovery
or cyber
forensics process. OCR is the process where images of
handwritten, typewritten or printed text are converted into
machine-encoded text using the mechanical or electronic conversion.
The main purpose of OCR is to digitise printed texts
so that they can be electronically searched, stored more compactly,
displayed on-line through virtual
data rooms, and used in machine processes such as machine
translation, text-to-speech and text mining. OCR is also very
important for presenting and defending claims and obligations in
civil and criminal proceedings.
OCR, e-discovery and cyber forensics are sometimes
combined while investigating financial
frauds and crimes, serious
frauds, forensics audit, white
collor crimes, corporate frauds, fraud risk analysis, IT
and cyber frauds, etc.
However, there are certain techno legal issues that
must be taken care of while engaging in the OCR activities. If these
techno legal issues are not followed properly, the end OCR product
may not be admissible in a court of law or other investigation.
Further, only relevant material must be converted
into legally admissible electronic records, including OCR. A proper
chain of custody must be maintained at all stages of converting
printed and other text documents into digital documents and OCR.
There is no sense in converting the entire paper
based document s in to electronic format as not all electronic
versions would be relevant to the case or investigation. Even lesser
electronic records and OCR would be held admissible in a court of
law.
According to Perry4Law
and Perry4Law’s
Techno Legal Base (PTLB) the most important attribute while
engaging in the OCR exercise meant for litigation purposes is to
first ascertain the relevant documents and then convert them into
digital format keeping in mind the admissibility criteria while
following proper chain of custody.
If you are interested in our techno
legal services, you may contact
us in this regard. See our techno
legal services, cyber
forensics services, US,
UK and EU laws compliances, etc in this regard.
Source: E-Discovery
Services In India.
