My preferences are the "Destroy" and retain the metadata.  For e-discovery, this information is extremely valuable when properly applied.  The metadata should display the status as "destroyed" along with the date and time the record was destroyed.  The caveat is to ensure the record is "destroyed."  In some older electronic recordkeeping systems, the "Destroy" function only removed the link to the record.  Does it actually over-write the file so the file cannot be recovered, or just perform a delete.  A delete may not completely eliminate the file and thus it may be recovered through forensic technology.  

Purge is a complete removal from the system and in practice is the better solution.  The difference is the metadata or documentation retained to validate the date and time the record was purged.

A Database Administrator should be able to run a query for all records with a status of "Destroyed" along with the date and time.  You can use this for your record keeping documentation to support the electronic records destruction.

Here is some information to review:  http://www.destructdata.com/electronic-media-clearing-methods.html


Al Gamino, CDIA+, ecmM, bpmS, ermP 
Records and Information Solution Architect
Océ Business Services, Inc. ● A Canon Group Company
575 Market Street, 32nd Floor ● San Francisco, CA  94105 ● USA
Office +1 505 990 4612  ● Cell 505-918-6400 
Email [log in to unmask] ● Web www.ocesolutions.com
Advancing document process management to a higher level

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