E-mails are becoming a major part of investigative trails, whether they involve criminal activity, civil lawsuits, regulatory examinations or internal malfeasance within a company. Often more conversational and informal than paper documents, they can reveal the intent or motive of an individual under investigation – providing a critical piece of evidence needed to prove a crime was committed. They are routinely requested in lawsuits, particularly those filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory agencies. They also may be part of a company’s internal investigation into sexual harassment and other claims. Yet many executives and employees continue to use e-mails freely and carelessly, often unaware of how devastating they could be…
