Episode 1: The Dangers of DIY Forensic Collections

Connect with Jerry or SteveThe Dangers of DIY Collections: When "Good Enough" Can Create RiskIn the inaugural episode of Evidence Matters, digital forensics experts Jerry Bui and Steve Davis tackle a common question facing corporate legal teams, litigation professionals, and eDiscovery practitioners: When is it appropriate to handle data collections internally, and when does it make sense to bring in a forensic expert? The discussion explores the risks of "DIY" collections, including challenges related to chain of custody, metadata preservation, defensibility, and expert testimony. Jerry and Steve compare the roles of IT teams, law firms, and independent forensic consultants, explaining why collecting data for litigation or investigations requires a different skill set than simply accessing information. They also examine how evolving technologies, cloud platforms, mobile devices, and emerging data sources continue to reshape forensic best practices. Listeners will gain practical insight into: The difference between IT collections and forensic collections  Common risks that can arise from self-collection efforts  Why defensibility matters in litigation and investigations  The importance of independence, documentation, and expert testimony  How forensic best practices continue to evolve alongside technology Whether you're an in-house counsel, litigation support professional, eDiscovery manager, or outside counsel, this episode offers a practical look at how collection decisions made early in a matter can have significant downstream consequences. Subscribe to Evidence Matters for candid conversations on digital forensics, investigations, eDiscovery, expert testimony, and the technology shaping modern legal matters.Evidence Matters with Bui & Davis is a podcast for litigators, in-house counsel, legal operations professionals, and eDiscovery teams navigating today's complex data landscape. Hosted by digital forensics experts Jerry Bui and Steve Davis, the show explores digital evidence, investigations, mobile devices, AI, defensibility, data governance, and the evolving challenges shaping modern litigation and discovery. Practical insights, real-world experience, and conversations that help legal teams make better decisions when evidence matters most. Visit www.purposelegal.io for more information