Page 29 - Understandinging Forensic Technology Landscape

Data translation

and data interrogation

Data translation and data interrogation to detect patterns or anomalies or identify suspect
in the forensic context transactions based upon specific criteria.

These functions can be performed by separate providers
Many forensic practitioners face the need to convert
hard copies or PDFs to a more user-friendly format for or bundled as an integrated service offering.
analysis. Although there are a variety of names for the Approaches to data translation are based on the quality
software and approaches to achieve these important of the original documents and the level of resolution
objectives, many practitioners use the terms data of the scanned PDF files. Poor-quality documents or
translation and data interrogation to describe two blurred, low-resolution scans (less than 150 dpi) will
distinct, yet interrelated functions: usually result in inaccurate conversion using OCR

• Data translation tools allow for the capture and software. Accuracy of the conversion, in turn, drives the
conversion of structured data from paper documents nature and extent of human intervention to confirm the
scanned into PDF or existing PDFs into a machine- accuracy of capture and put the results in appropriate
readable format that can be analyzed, combined with format for analysis. Most PDF software has text
data from other sources and manipulated. recognition and conversion features that return scans at
600 dpi or higher. The actual quality of text recognition
• Data interrogation tools assist with the analyses of
large bodies of structured data (for example, an entire and conversion may not be evident until the data are
general ledger file, bank, or brokerage statement data) transferred from the PDF file to a database, spreadsheet
or other data file or format.

Before OCR:

Poor-quality
documents or blurred,
low-resolution scans

(less than 150 dpi)
AFTER OCR: will usually result in
Witnesscth that Gr!ntor. for and in cansidmtion of tbt sum ofTai md no!lOO Dollars (S 10.00) and other
good and valuable cou&idei-ation lO Grmior in.hand paid by Orantee. the receip1 whmot is hm'by adcno""ledg¢cl, inaccurate conversion
bs
~tcd. b2:t2&:incd ~ sold. tb tb.c GtU.tt.c. 2nd.Grantee's heirs and wigns fortvtt~ the following dc.sc:n"bcd lmd.
situate. using OCR software.
lying and being in:

TI1is deed is being recorded to eonect the ex~tion of that eemin deed recorded in O.R.
Documentary Stamps were paid in full with du: prior re-cording.
TO HA VE AND TO HOLD the wne unto Gnntu in fee simple.
And Granter does hc:eby fully wma.nr the title to the land. and wiJJ defend the s.ime :1gain.st the Ja~1W cbhns of .iJI
persons v.11 omsocvc.r.

Understanding the forensic technology landscape | 25