Our database expert witness will secure the evidence you need from your database, no matter the size. Our expert can help you with anything from targeted record production to deeper analysis and investigation in order to advise on claims of spoliation, data deletion, fraud, compliance, or other user activities
What Evidence Database Forensics Reveals
Databases can hold massive amounts of data from all the data entries. Commonly, people are interested in the face value of individual records. However, database metadata and schema can provide a deeper understanding leading to the discovery of additional evidence. For example, through analysis and investigation, a database expert can:
- Produce all responsive records from the database
- Identify who created and accessed a particular record or set of records
- Reveal patterns or trends in database user activity
- Audit user activity to identify suspicious behavior
- Uncover Evidence of deleted database records
- Define when and where individual records were created
- Identify other specific items to defend or pursue claims in your case
Role of the Joint Expert or Special Master
A joint expert or special master can significantly reduce discovery expenses and minimizing disputes. Our goal is to encourage efficient discovery and apply strong mediation skills. For example, both a joint expert or appointed special master can help the parties negotiate a discovery protocol before discovery disputes arise. Taking advantage of ‘meet and confer’ requirements, a skilled database expert will reduce expenses by getting all the parties’ requested data the first time through.
Our database expert, Tom Howe, brings the intersection of deep technical knowledge and decades of trial experience. He has broad experience working with database discovery and database programming. Additionally, with his many years of presenting at conferences and database training courses, he is very adept at explaining difficult concepts to the parties, their staff, judges, and juries in a way that is easy to understand. In particular, as a database expert witness he can produce responsive records and provide analysis on discovery questions such as whether data or records were deleted, and review user activity to look for signs of suspicious behavior.
Special Master Uncovers Widespread Data Spoliation
Database forensics can provide you the needed proof for or against spoliation claims. In a recent case, Facebook Inc., et al., v. OnlineNIC Inc, et al., Thomas Howe served as Special Discovery Master. The Northern District of California, San Jose Division, tasked Mr. Howe with determining whether defendants had engaged in data destruction. After deep forensics and analysis, Mr. Howe determined that Defendants had deleted more than one-half of the records at issue, and withheld a significant amount of surviving records. Data destruction activities were so widespread that Plaintiffs promptly moved for a default judgment.