Creating an Investigatory Records Toolkit

IRMS Legal is developing an Investigatory Records Toolkit to guide organizations in creating and managing investigatory records. The toolkit includes an ‘ideal’ Legal Investigations Retention Schedule and guidance on distinguishing major from minor investigations, identifying records for permanent preservation, and understanding implications for record retention. It also offers advice on preserving records in case management systems, including proprietary systems, and determining the format of records to preserve, whether originals, digital, or extracted from systems. Additionally, the toolkit provides guidance on using records in court, focusing on evidential and provenance requirements to ensure legal admissibility and evidential soundness. This talk will detail the toolkit’s development, progress, and benefits, as well as our collaboration with other groups in this area. We invite participation and ideas for inclusion to enhance the toolkit’s effectiveness and applicability.