An approach to the judicial evaluation of evidence from computers and computer systems

Abstract

The evaluation of evidence derived from a complex computer system is difficult: past experience of reliable operation in general is an uncertain guide to the value of specific evidence in a particular case. By setting the evidence in question in the context of the complete transaction to which it pertains, and tracking the system’s processing path for the transaction, better guidance may be obtained. Difficulty in elucidating the processing path may itself cast doubt on the evidence in question.

Index words: complexity, computer, evidence, path, transaction