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6.4 Standards for computerised document disclosure


Document images


Where images of documents are created which should be provided to the other
party, there is a potential problem in that the computerised documents may be
provided in a format which can only be directly read by the same proprietary
software as was used to create them. There are a number of non-proprietary
standard formats for images (see Chapter 2 at 2.3). It would be beneficial if
standards were developed concerning which image formats were regarded as
sufficiently standard, so that the parties to matters had some guide as to
whether the software that they were considering using could produce standard
output. It would be premature to attempt to make any standards mandatory,
because of the fast growth of imaging technology, but DPPs and other parties
should be encouraged to consider and adhere to recommended standards, and
Courts could take such adherence into account when making orders concerning
the use of imaging technology in trials, and in the form of disclosure of
exhibits.

   Standards should be developed and published by a national co-
   ordinating body concerning the format in which images of documents are
   exchanged, with the aim of encouraging maximum portability of image
   databases of exhibits. Such standards should be recommendatory, not
   mandatory. DPPs and other parties should be encouraged to adhere to
   such standards, and Courts should take such standards into account
   when making orders concerning the use of imaging technology in trials,
   and in the form of disclosure of exhibits.
   

Computerised text documents


If the prosecution has statements available in full text computerised form, or
key documents have been converted (by OCR) to computerised form, and they are
to be made available to the court or the defence in that form, it would be
useful if there were recommended standards for the form in which they are
provided.

   Similar standards should be developed and observed concerning the
   format in which computer-readable text of statements and other
   documents is exchanged.
   


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