Data Collection & Analysis Guide
Turn case data into your most powerful tool
A modular, regularly updated guide for Conviction Integrity Units and Innocence Organizations of all sizes. Build the data practices that let you see patterns, prove impact, and improve the systems you work within.
The Four-Step Framework
A simple through-line for building data capacity that lasts.
Assess
Map what you have, who owns it, and where the gaps are.
Choose
Pick tools that fit your size and that you can maintain.
Track
Capture new cases cleanly, with drop-downs and one owner.
Sustain
Train people and retain knowledge, not just infrastructure.
Legal Tech Landscape & Vendor Risk
Choose technology you can defend
Eight product categories and 26 vendors, mapped. Compare what each one actually does, then hold every vendor to the same seven domains — confidentiality, AI use, vendor alignment, access controls, data residency, incident response, and exit — before you sign.
The eight product categories
Explore the guide
Every module is self-contained. Start anywhere, or follow the framework in order.
Data Collection & Analysis
Why Collect Data
The case for measurement: better decisions, accountability, pattern detection, funding, and system improvement.
OpenData Collection & Analysis
Quick Start
Stand up a working system this week, even if all you have is a single spreadsheet.
OpenData Collection & Analysis
The Four-Step Framework
Assess, Choose, Track, Sustain: the through-line for building data capacity that lasts.
OpenData Collection & Analysis
AI Data Health Check
Share your data context and get an AI report card graded 0 to 4 across five domains of analytics capacity.
Run the diagnosticData Collection & Analysis
Self-Assessment
A six-question maturity check that scores where you are and what to do next.
OpenLegal Tech Landscape
Which Platform Is Right?
Answer three questions and get a platform recommendation with cost and effort.
OpenCore Modules
Privacy & Security
Encryption, access controls, audit trails, PII, CJIS, and breach and retention basics.
OpenCore Modules
AI & Modern Tools
Where LLMs, OCR, NLP, and bias-detection tools help, and how to adopt them responsibly.
OpenCore Modules
Digital Evidence
Body and dashcam footage, cell phone data, forensics, and chain of custody.
OpenCore Modules
Dashboards & Reporting
Turn your data into clear views for internal teams, the public, and funders.
OpenCore Modules
Data Fields
A phased, filterable catalog of what to track, by tier and by audience.
Open