NCJ Number
62481
Date Published
1979
Length
309 pages
Annotation
TECHNIQUES FOR THE PLANNING, PREPARATION, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF EVIDENCE ANALYSIS AND TRACKING SYSTEMS ARE PRESENTED IN THIS MANUAL FOR PROSECUTION AGENCIES.
Abstract
THE MANUAL WAS DEVELOPED FOR PROSECUTORS WHO NEED SPECIAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT TOOLS TO COPE WITH LARGE AMOUNTS OF EVIDENCE FOR WHITE-COLLAR CRIME CASES. THESE COMPLEX CASES REQUIRE: (1) DETERMINATION OF THE BEST METHOD OF HANDLING THE DOCUMENT FILE AND (2) SELECTION OF THE EVIDENCE-TRACKING APPROACH WHICH ENSURES OPTIMUM COST-EFFECTIVENESS WITHIN BUDGET AND, SCHEDULE CONSTRAINTS. AN OVERVIEW OF THE MAJOR ISSUES ATTORNEYS OR EXECUTIVES CONFRONT WHEN DECIDING ON THE USE OF EVIDENCE TRACKING IS PROVIDED, AS ARE THE STEPS REQUIRED FOR THE PREPARATION OF A COMPUTER-BASED, SEMIAUTOMATED, OR MANUALLY-OPERATED SYSTEM. CASE MANAGERS, WHETHER ATTORNEYS OR INVESTIGATORS, ARE PROVIDED INFORMATION ON THE SCREENING OF PROBATIVE DOCUMENTS, THE INVOLVEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF, AND THE REQUISITE SECURITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF EVIDENCE COLLECTIONS. A USER'S GUIDE FOR APPLYING COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY TO EVIDENCE TRACKING GIVES AN OVERVIEW OF COMPUTER FUNCTIONS AND INDICATES TECHNIQUES FOR ASSESSING A CASE'S NEED FOR DATA PROCESSING. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL ADDRESSES THE USE OF WORD PROCESSING EQUIPMENT AND CARD FILE SYSTEMS FOR LESS COMPLEX LITIGATION. APPENDIXES PRESENT PROCEDURES FOR COST AND BENEFIT ESTIMATION, DEFINE TERMS USED IN EVIDENCE TRACKING, AND REPORT ON THE STATE-OF -THE-ART IN LITIGATION SUPPORT. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (TWK)