Trevor Horwitz investigates how to reveal electronic data secrets
The content of a data message refers to information expressly communicated from one entity to another, either from an individual or an electronic system. For example, the content may be the text of an e-mail message, the transaction data reflected in a bank statement, and/or the “written” contents of word processing documents, to name but a few.
Determining the context of digital data is more complex, however. The context often refers to two elements:
- the how, who, when, why and where the data has been generated and transmitted, including the process of transmittal; and
- any other “meta data” that has been included with the standard content.
When changes are made to a hand-written document, these changes often require that either the original text be crossed out, that correction fluid be used, or that the document be thrown away started anew. In most instances, changes are relatively easy to identify and proving a documents authenticity would not be difficult. Likewise, if the authenticity of a typed document was challenged, handwritten signatures on the
