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Law 101: Legal Guide for the Forensic Expert

Discovery of Information

 

Photo of a woman talking with her attorney. Caption says "depositions, interrogatories, and other forms of discovery"
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (see reuse policy).

Discovery has been defined as "compulsory disclosure, at a party's request, of information that relates to the litigation; the pretrial phase of a lawsuit during which depositions, interrogatories, and other forms of discovery are conducted."

Discovery is the general term for the ways in which attorneys formally gather information to support and supplement their factual investigation. This is sometimes a laborious process but may help uncover the underlying facts surrounding a matter in dispute. Certain devices are available to help uncover underlying facts.

For more information about discovery issues, including discovery components, the discovery process and case examples, see Discovery.

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