Electronic discovery also known as e-discovery, e discovery, or eDiscovery, is the process that during litigation the opposing parties identify, collect, preserve, analyze, search, review, and exchange information in digital format using it as evidence.  

Examples of the types of ESI included are emails, instant messaging chats, documents, accounting databases, Web sites, and any other electronic information that could be relevant evidence in a lawsuit.  Also included in eDiscovery are “raw data” and “metadata,” which digital forensic investigators can review for hidden evidence.