Database and scanning technology produce efficiencies in document-intensive litigations.
The use of database and scanning technologies is revolutionizing complex, document-intensive litigations. These technologies reduce the costs of document processing and make new analyses possible.
Many litigation and litigation support firms now offer database products. A typical database system will compile information relevant to the litigation into a single source that is then accessible by some or all attorneys working on the case. In class action lawsuits, for instance, a database can quickly and cost effectively compile plaintiff information such as contact and injury information. This central data source can be used to send out letters or other notices to the entire class or a segment of that class.
Similarly, by combining database and scanning technology an increasing number of firms are scanning documents into a computer is an efficient use of resources. The initial cost of scanning and indexing documents electronically can be high, but for long or complex litigations it can be useful. Once the documents are available electronically, copies can be made at virtually no additional cost.
Alternatively, some firms now use the internet or internal networks to make the information available without the need to make copies. Thus, cooperating attorneys in multiple geographic locations can review available documentation without the time and expense of travel to the document site. This entire process saves clients the cost of copying and possibly transporting thousands of pages of documentation.
If the documents are properly catalogued, the resulting document database makes new analyses possible. Typically, scanned documents will be indexed by identifying information: a description of the type of document; the subpoena or issues for which it may be relevant; the date; whether and when the document was produced; type of injury if applicable; and the origin of the document. The identifying information then allows the litigating attorney to sort documents and information quickly, potentially showing patterns that are not cognizable when the documents are in hard copy.
Prospectively, the increasing use of optical character recognition (OCR) will further expand the tools available to litigating attorneys. OCR programs allow scanned documents to be recognized and stored as text. The stored text can then be searched for key words or phrases. For instance, one can separate documents that reference a client's attorneys and then review those documents for attorney-client privilege.
The use of database and scanning technology for litigation purposes is still developing. As technology advances and as attorneys become more comfortable using that technology new efficiencies and new analyses will become achievable.
For more information:
http://www.abanet.org/techshow/L04.pdf
http://www.bowne.com/bussolutions/services_litigation.asp
http://ftiitcsupport.fticonsulting.com/pages/itcase.htm
http://www.navigantconsulting.com/showtopic.cfm?TopicID=3754
http://www.hollandhart.com/firm.cfm?id=95
http://www.hollandhart.com/firm.cfm?id=97
