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Increasingly, the DPP is using the PC-based products ISYS for free     [PP33]
text retrieval, and Q&A, Filemaker Pro or Paradox for document control.
Notebook computers are used in court in complex cases. The Harvard Graphics
program has been used to prepare static graphics in-house for presentation in
court in small cases (eg Social security prosecutions), and interactive
graphics have been commissioned and used in very complex tax prosecutions
(see Chapter 7). The DPP's use of document imaging has been principally in
relation to the integration of selected images of exhibits with presentation
technologies to be used in court (see Chapter 7). The DPP's most recent 
system integrates document control (Filemaker Pro), transcript retrieval
(ISYS), interactive graphics (Toolbook) and document imaging.


Recommendation concerning cooperation between key Commonwealth agencies


Although the details will be presented later in this Report, it is apparent
from the outset that the key role taken by the Commonwealth DPP in prosecuting
briefs concerning complex crime which are prepared by the ASC or the NCA means
that effective co-operation between these agencies in their use of litigation
support is a matter of highest priority. There is as yet little
standardisation of software, or databases or image standards, between the
three agencies. The fact that such matters are prosecuted in courts
administered by State authorities (see 1.6 above) makes the cooperation of
those authorities next in importance. In Chapter 8 we recommend a mechanism by
which these and other authorities (State DPPs, legal aid agencies and others)
may all cooperate in the development of national standards. While this is our
preferred mechanism, it should not obscure the priority which should be given
to cooperation between these key agencies in complex trials. We therefore
recommend as follows:

   There should be developed, as a matter of highest priority, a national
   strategy for compatibility of computerised litigation support
   facilities between the Australian Securities Commission, the National
   Crime Authority, and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
   For such a national strategy to be fully effective, State court
   administrations should also cooperate in its development, so that
   these Commonwealth agencies can effectively utilise litigation support
   systems in State courts. Standards which may be needed, and one
   possible mechanism for developing such a national strategy, are
   recommended in this Report. These mechanisms are secondary to the
   priority of developing a national strategy for compatibility.
   


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