Numbering the copies of all documents is an indispensable activity in the Discovery Process since it ensures that each document can be uniquely identified in all subsequent discovery activities. For example, during the Scanning process the Bates Number of each document is attached to its electronic version, thus creating a searchable Image Database . Also, during the Coding process and the Document Review process the information contained in a document is recorded in the Database under the document's Bates Number. In this way the Bates Numbers form the key for creating and building a searchable database which can be linked to the Image Database through the same key.
There are various methods for numbering paper copies of documents, for example placing numbered stickers on the copies or, in case of huge volumes, printing the numbers on the copies. Each method has its pro's and con's. Through experience we have developed a successful and flexible approch to numbering paper copies of documents.
Additionally, with some scanning technologies, it is possible to assign a Bates Number to the electronic versions of the copies of documents while they are being scanned and to print this Bates Number on (the back of) the hard copies. In this way the scanning and numbering of the copies are combined into one activity
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