Appraising email (using digital forensics): techniques and challenges

Abstract

With the growth of digital records, particularly email, archives must adapt their methods of acquiring, appraising and providing access to records. As one possible solution, the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick advocates the use of digital forensics. This article moves beyond simply advocating a technical solution, however, to include a fuller understanding of the challenges archivists may encounter when appraising email, such as the discovery of personal information, personally identifiable information and other information that is not reflected in traditional correspondence.