The item groups first need to be identified. This is done based on existing information and documentation about the material. Typically, an organization will already have some overviews or lists of different parts of the material. Compiling information from such documents can be a good start, aided by institutional knowledge of the material and any other information we have. This should be complemented by a hands-on review of the material, both physical and digital, either by going through boxes and shelves or by a review of folders contained in digital storage units. In the process, we should note any additional or separate groups of items we identify. This will allow us to create the initial list of identified item groups, which we can then place on a table and call “Identification Inventory” or simply “Inventory.” In addition to listing the item groups, the Inventory must include information about the type, format, size, amount, condition, location, and storage space/media. An example is provided in Figure 3.
| Item groups
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Subject
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Type
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Format
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Quantity and/or Size
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Condition
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Location
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| Witness statements
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Enforced disappear- ances
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Statements
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Signed paper copies of statements and audio recordings of statement taking
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320 paper statements
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