Privacy & Confidentiality Policy
Goal
Forensic Document Investigation (FDI) is committed to protecting and maintaining the privacy of clients who engage us and to protect the confidentiality of the information supplied by these clients.
FDI uses the following document to assist in delivering, to the best of our ability, a protection of our clients’ privacy: Australian Privacy Principles: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/australian-privacy-principles
Scope
The nature of the documents (or copies of them) we are provided can be of extremely important nature not only, for example, identification documents such as passports with specimen signatures, but documents with content that reveal deeply personal or financially important information.
This Privacy and Confidentiality Policy (Policy) applies to all types of engagements whether it be paid or unpaid services. The Policy applies to all types of information and no information shall be considered appropriate to be available for public scrutiny or by any other person than the client. The only exception to this rule is the context of a court hearing or preparation of a court hearing where the court many demand information to be provided to the court directly.
Policy
- FDI protects the personal information of clients who engage us by storing it in a secure safe if a physical document or a password protected external memory device if of a digital nature.
- FDI only collects information for purposes directly related to FDI services, not for any other purposes, for example, market research.
- FDI only collect information directly from the client or their agent who is engaging us.
- FDI only uses personal information for the purpose for which it was provided, i.e. forensic comparison of handwriting and or signatures.
- FDI use secure IT platforms and software to store confidential information.
Why is information collected and stored?
For our clients (and the legal entities that act for them) we only collect information that is necessary for our work and to help us provide evidence for court or as if the matter were being prepared for a court hearing.
How does FDI collect information?
FDI usually collects personal information from emails with attached images of documents, email correspondence or physical mail delivered to the FDI address. No other means is used to collect information.
How does FDI use and disclosure information?
We will only use your sensitive information for the purpose for which it was initially collected or as directed by the court hearing a matter where the court determines the collection is lawful.
How long is information kept by FDI?
Where information is held and it is no longer needed or required by law to be held, we will take reasonable steps to ensure the information is destroyed.
How does FDI deal with breaches of this Policy
In the unlikely event of a breach of control over information retained by FDI, FDI will notify individuals whose personal information is involved. Should a breach occur, FDI will undertake a full assessment of the incident and take steps to reduce the likelihood or a recurrence of the breach.
Access
You can request access to the information FDI has collected from you only if you are the client, or their agent, who has provided the information. If a request is made for information by the court (the court that is dealing with the matter you have engaged FDI to be involved with) that request shall be complied with.