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The impact of the computer information revolution on legal and business investigations is multi-faceted. The primary result of the changes wrought by computerization of information will be a much greater value to labor ratio and an ongoing shake-out in the legal/business information services industry. Some of the obvious directions created by computerization are as follows.
Database software can be used to match and organize large quantities of information. The flexible organization and transmission of information in databases has been crucial in minimizing the labor hours needed to find relevant information.
Using search software, word processing systems have become searchable like a database, but not as reorganizable or as marketable. A good word processing systems and a document scanner are valuable tools for organizing and storing large volumes of searchable text information.
The increasing database indexing of publicly accessible information has created the need for investigators to understand the organization of information as well as its content. The individual searching for information must understand the parameters of the database and know the subject matter well enough to sort out irrelevant information.
With regard to on-line accessible information it is important to note the difference between standing databases such as location information and interactive databases such as Dialog. Standing databases have one theme and limited access. They are useful when the information consumer knows specifically what they want, like an address. Interactive databases allow for broad cross-data searching. For example, in Dialog one can activate multiple files and free-text or data-field search all of them at once.
In addition to cross-file searching, interactive databases allow for refinement of inquiries. If the initial search phrase draws too many or too few results the search can be refined based on that information. Information hits can be reviewed at various levels such as headline, search phrase in context or full article. All of this requires ongoing analysis and judgment. It is an investigative process not an errand.
The rise of the World Wide Web produced an on-line research medium which was quickly transformed into an on-line marketing medium. The keys to using the Web today are experience, analytical skills and content comprehension. Without these qualities the Web is a trap for the unwary and a time sink for researchers.
The modern investigation requires interaction of traditional investigative techniques (interview and observe), documents research, database searches, interactive searches (interview and observe in cyberspace) and ongoing analysis. All aspects should be used to create leads for other aspects of the investigation. Without all of these factors being brought into play by a knowledgeable investigator your investigation will be as outmoded as the typewriter and the index card. end