Abstract: A method and system are provided for compressing structured documents. The method includes the steps of (a) receiving semantic information for a given class of documents; (b) receiving a document of the given class to be compressed; (c) decomposing the document into a plurality of strings; (d) identifying document specific strings from the plurality of strings based on the semantic information, and writing the document specific strings to output; (e) determining whether other strings of the plurality of strings of the document are referenced by a key in a shared database; (f) when a string of the other strings is referenced by a key in the shared database, writing the key to output in place of the string; and (g) when a string of the other strings is not referenced by a key in the shared database, adding the string to the shared database with an associated key, and writing the associated key to output in place of the string.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for maintaining a chain of custody record for the handling of an item transferred among a plurality of custodians. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments can include a plurality of computers operable by the custodians. The system also includes an electronic form transferable among the computers. The form is transferred from a computer operated by one custodian to a computer operated by another in correspondence with the transfer of the item from the custodian to the other. The form identifies the item and includes space for entry of information by each custodian handling the item. The information entered by the custodians includes an identification of the custodian and a digital signature of the custodian authenticating the item. At least some of the information entered by a custodian is unalterable by another custodian.