Data Identification refers to the process of locating all documents and data that require preservation and collection. This includes data stored across networks and archives including, servers, backup tapes, and various media sources. During this stage, attorneys and clients will need to identify the custodians of the data, determine the time frames involved, identify the types of documents, map the client's information systems and decide whether or not forensic data retrieval is necessary.

Identifying individual employees or departments is also significant to the investigation since they may be responsible for contracts or specific projects, identified in a document request. Generally by default, the IT department is involved due to its responsibility in supporting the entire infrastructure.

vdiscovery can dispatch a member of our certified forensic team to conduct an independent and forensically sound collection of evidentiary data. Our forensic staff has been trained in forensic collection and examination, and utilizes industry standard hardware and software technologies, such as EnCase to conduct data collections and perform investigation and analysis if required.

vdiscovery will generate a defensible process by creating an in-depth Information Technology Audit and Assessment Report. We can help you create a defensible process by recovering all potentially relevant documents and files that are hidden, have been erased, or damaged on storage devices. vdiscovery's forensic search tools can also investigate web browsing activity, identify metadata, reveal the content of temporary files, obtain data fragments and establish data usage histories.