§ Guide, full text

Native Documents PDFs Or Images Which Production Format

This guide examines the three families of production formats: native, searchable PDF, and image-plus-load-file. It details what each format preserves or destroys, and how to choose the appropriate format within a disclosure protocol, addressing redaction and technical limitations.

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Native Documents PDFs Or Images Which Production Format

PRODUCTION FORMAT S · A GUIDE FOR UK LAWYERS Native Documents, PDFs or Images: Which Production Format? What Each Format Preserves, What Each Destroys, and How to Choose in the Protocol COMPUTER FORENSICS LAB

§ ABOUT THE AUTHOR PREPARED BY COMPUTER FORENSICS LAB E-DISCOVERY TEAM

§ CONTENTS In this guide 01 Executive summary 02 The problem in plain English: the format is an evidence decision 03 The three families: native, searchable PDF and image-plus-load-file 04 Document classes that force the choice: spreadsheets, presentations, chat and media 05 The rules layer: PD 57AD, PD 31B and what "native" means in an order 06 Redaction, confidential it y and the imaging exception 07 Receiving productions: acceptance checks and challenge routes 08 Source architecture: where else the evidence lives 09 Worked examples 10 Common mistakes and technical limitations 11 Questions to ask · Suggested wording 12 Checklist and red flags · When to involve a digital forensic expert 13 Frequently asked questions 14 Glossary · References · Disclaimer · How a specialist laboratory can assist

§ 01 · ORIENTATION Executive summary THE HEADLINE POINT: PRODUCENATIVEBYDEFAULT, IMAGE ONLY FOR CA USE, AND PRESERVETHEROUTEBACKTOTHENATIVEFOREVERYDOCUMENTTHATMATTERS 87

§ 7's warning. Image-plus-load-file (TIFF/PDF images with extracted text and agreed metadata fields)

§ 02 · FIRST PRINCIPLES The problem in plain English: the format is an evidence decision

§ 03 · THEFAMILIES The three families: native, searchable PDF and image-plus-loadfile

§ 04 · THEFORCINGCLASSES Document classes that force the choice: spreadsheets, presentations, chat and media

§ 05 · THERULESLAYER The rules layer: PD 57AD, PD 31B and what "native" means in an order

§ 06 · THEIMAGINGEXCEPTION Redaction, confidential it y and the imaging exception

§ 07 · RECEIVINGEND Receiving productions: acceptance checks and challenge routes

§ 08 · THEWIDERMAP Source architecture: where else the evidence lives WHAT THE YOUR DMS / UPSTREAM PRODUCTION COUNTERPART CLOUD STRUCTURED STRIPPED COPIES PLATFORMS SOURCES PRODUCER'S TRANSMISSION DEVICE NATIVES RECORD LAYER

§ 09 · IN THE WILD Worked examples EXAMPLE1 · THE MODEL PRODUCED AS4, 100PAGES EXAMPLE2 · THE " NATIVE " ORDERANSWEREDWITHCONVERSIONS EXAMPLE3 · THEIMAGINGTHATWASEXACTLYRIGHT

§ 10 · WHEREITGOESWRONG Common mistakes and technical limitations Common mistakes Technical limitations

§ 11 · INTERROGATORIES & DRAFTING AIDS Questions to ask · Suggested wording Ask your client Ask your opponent Ask your e Discovery / forensic provider SUGGESTED WORDING · FORM AT PA R AG RAPHFORTHEDISCLOSUREPROTOCOL

§ 12 · QUICK CONTROL Checklist and red flags · When to involve a digital forensic expert The format checklist Red flags When to involve a digital forensic expert

§ 13 · COMMON QUESTIONS Frequently asked questions Is there a single best production format? The other side wants everything as PDFs "for convenience". Should we agree? How do we cite a native spreadsheet in a bundle or judgment? We received images and the text layer seems poor. Whose problem is that? Do we have to produce hidden sheets, tracked changes and speaker notes? The producing party says the native no longer exists. Now what?

§ 14 · REFERENCE Glossary Sources and authoritative references 35 reporting): cflab.uk/digital-forensics-services · guides library: cflab.uk/guides DISCLAIMER

§ HOW A SPECIALIST LABORATORY CAN ASSIST Working with Computer Forensics Lab Speak to a forensic examiner, not a salesperson. INSTRUCTTHELAB NEWENQUIRIESEMAILE - DISCOVERY

Cite as: Joseph Naghdi, Native Documents PDFs Or Images Which Production Format, Computer Forensics Lab, https://e-discovery.uk/library/native-documents-pdfs-or-images-which-production-format/pdf.

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