DIVA_American_Justice_Revolution_Functional_Requirements_Document_v1.pdf

DIVA Functional Requirements Document v1.0
CONFIDENTIAL — Tennessee Transparency Institute — Page 1 of 13
DISTRIBUTED INTEGRITY
VERIFICATION ARCHITECTURE
(DIVA)
FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT
Version 1.0
November 2025
Prepared by:
Tennessee Transparency Institute
A 501(c)(3) Organization Operating as American Justice Revolution
EIN: 41-2388446

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Distributed Integrity Verification Architecture (DIVA) is a proprietary five-level,
twenty-checkpoint evidence verification system designed to create immutable
records and prevent document manipulation in legal proceedings. DIVA addresses a
critical gap in the American justice system: the absence of reliable mechanisms to
ensure evidentiary integrity from origination through final judicial disposition.
This Functional Requirements Document specifies the technical, operational, and
legal compliance parameters necessary for DIVA implementation. The system is
architected to produce evidence packages that satisfy Federal Rules of Evidence
authentication requirements, maintain unbroken chain of custody, and generate
court-admissible verification records.
DIVA's primary applications include wrongful conviction case documentation, federal
agency referral packages, public corruption investigations, and institutional
accountability monitoring. The system transforms documentary evidence from
vulnerable artifacts into cryptographically attested, legally defensible records.
2. SYSTEM OBJECTIVES
2.1 Primary Objectives
DIVA shall accomplish the following primary objectives:
• Establish immutable evidentiary records that cannot be altered, deleted, or
manipulated without detection
• Maintain continuous chain of custody documentation from document
origination through final disposition
• Generate verification artifacts that satisfy Federal Rules of Evidence
authentication standards
• Detect and document tampering, spoliation, or unauthorized modification of
evidentiary materials
• Produce court-admissible audit trails suitable for federal and state judicial
proceedings
• Support federal agency referral requirements for DOJ, FBI, SEC, HUD-OIG,
and FinCEN submissions
2.2 Secondary Objectives
• Provide public transparency mechanisms for institutional accountability
monitoring
• Enable collaborative investigation workflows with appropriate access controls
• Generate standardized reports for grant compliance and organizational
governance
• Scale to support multi-jurisdiction, multi-case investigation portfolios
3. FIVE-LEVEL VERIFICATION ARCHITECTURE

DIVA implements a hierarchical verification structure consisting of five distinct levels,
each containing four checkpoints (twenty total). Documents progress through levels
sequentially; advancement requires satisfaction of all checkpoints within the current
level. Each level addresses increasingly rigorous verification requirements.
3.1 Level 1: Intake and Initial Authentication
Purpose: Establish document provenance and create baseline integrity markers at
point of entry into the DIVA system.
Checkpoints:
1.1Source Identification — Document origin verification including submitter
identity, institutional source, acquisition method (FOIA, subpoena, voluntary
production, public record), and chain of acquisition documentation.
1.2Cryptographic Hash Generation — SHA-256 hash computation of original
document at intake, creating immutable fingerprint for all subsequent integrity
comparisons.
1.3Metadata Extraction — Automated extraction and preservation of document
metadata including creation date, modification history, author information, and
embedded properties.
1.4Initial Classification — Document categorization by type (court filing,
correspondence, financial record, evidence item), sensitivity level, and
applicable legal framework.
3.2 Level 2: Content Verification and Cross-Reference
Purpose: Verify document content accuracy and establish relationships to
corroborating evidence within the case file.
Checkpoints:
2.1Internal Consistency Analysis — Examination of document for internal
contradictions, anachronistic references, formatting anomalies, or content
inconsistent with purported date and source.
2.2External Corroboration — Cross-reference document claims against
independent sources, official records, and previously verified evidence within
the DIVA system.
2.3Timeline Integration — Placement of document within case chronology,
verification of temporal consistency, and flagging of timeline conflicts.
2.4Entity Resolution — Identification and linking of persons, organizations,
locations, and events referenced in document to established case entities.
3.3 Level 3: Chain of Custody and Handling Documentation
Purpose: Establish and document complete chain of custody from original creation
through current status.
Checkpoints:
3.1Custodian Documentation — Complete record of every individual and
institution that maintained custody of document, including dates, purposes,
and transfer documentation.
3.2Access Log Verification — Documentation of every access event (viewing,
copying, transmission) with accessor identity, timestamp, and purpose.

3.3Modification Detection — Comparison of current document state against
baseline hash; identification and documentation of any alterations with
attribution where determinable.
3.4Storage Integrity Confirmation — Verification that document storage
conditions (physical or digital) maintained integrity standards throughout
custody chain.
3.4 Level 4: Legal Admissibility Preparation
Purpose: Prepare document packages that satisfy Federal Rules of Evidence
requirements for court admissibility.
Checkpoints:
4.1FRE 901 Authentication Compliance — Generation of authentication
foundation demonstrating document genuineness through testimony,
distinctive characteristics, or certified copies.
4.2FRE 902 Self-Authentication Review — Determination of whether document
qualifies for self-authentication under any FRE 902 category; preparation of
supporting certifications.
4.3FRE 803(6) Business Records Exception — Where applicable,
documentation that record was made at or near time of event, by person with
knowledge, as regular practice of business activity.
4.4Hearsay Analysis — Identification of hearsay issues and applicable
exceptions; preparation of supporting foundation for exception applicability.
3.5 Level 5: External Anchoring and Immutability
Purpose: Establish external, tamper-proof verification through distributed systems
and third-party attestation.
Checkpoints:
5.1Blockchain Hash Anchoring — Publication of document hash to public
blockchain (Bitcoin or Ethereum), creating immutable timestamp and
existence proof beyond DIVA system control.
5.2Distributed Witness Attestation — Cryptographic attestation from multiple
independent nodes confirming document state at specified timestamp.
5.3Third-Party Archive Deposit — Deposit of verified document package with
independent archival service (Internet Archive, university library, or similar) for
redundant preservation.
5.4Final Certification Generation — Production of comprehensive DIVA
Verification Certificate documenting all twenty checkpoints with supporting
evidence for each.

4. VERIFICATION LEVEL PROGRESSION MATRIX
The following matrix defines progression requirements, failure conditions, and
escalation protocols for each verification level:
Level Progression Criteria Failure Response Output Artifact
Level 1 All four checkpoints
satisfied; baseline hash
generated
Quarantine document;
request additional
provenance
documentation
Intake Certificate with
SHA-256 hash
Level 2 Content verified against
corroborating sources;
timeline integrated
Flag inconsistencies;
document verification
gaps; proceed with
caveats
Content Verification
Report with
corroboration matrix
Level 3 Complete chain of
custody documented; no
unexplained
modifications
Document custody
gaps; generate
spoliation alert if
tampering detected
Chain of Custody
Certificate with access
log
Level 4 FRE authentication
requirements satisfied;
hearsay exceptions
documented
Identify admissibility
barriers; prepare
alternative foundation
strategies
Legal Admissibility
Package with FRE
compliance checklist
Level 5 Blockchain anchored;
distributed attestation
obtained; archive
deposited
Retry anchoring;
document external
service failures; proceed
at Level 4
DIVA Verification
Certificate (complete)
5. LEGAL ADMISSIBILITY FRAMEWORK
DIVA verification produces evidence packages designed to satisfy Federal Rules of
Evidence authentication requirements. The system addresses the following
evidentiary standards:
5.1 FRE 901 — Requirement of Authentication
DIVA generates authentication foundation through multiple mechanisms:
1. FRE 901(b)(1) Testimony of Witness with Knowledge: DIVA records
submitter attestations and custodian declarations suitable for testimonial
foundation.
2. FRE 901(b)(3) Comparison by Expert Witness: Cryptographic hash
verification provides objective comparison standard superior to visual
examination.
3. FRE 901(b)(4) Distinctive Characteristics: Metadata extraction preserves
distinctive characteristics including formatting, embedded data, and creation
signatures.
4. FRE 901(b)(9) Process or System: DIVA itself constitutes a process
producing accurate results, documentable through system validation
evidence.
5.2 FRE 902 — Self-Authentication Categories

DIVA identifies documents qualifying for self-authentication and prepares supporting
certifications:
• FRE 902(1)-(4): Domestic and foreign public documents
• FRE 902(5): Official publications
• FRE 902(6): Newspapers and periodicals
• FRE 902(11)-(12): Certified domestic and foreign records of regularly
conducted activity
• FRE 902(13)-(14): Certified records generated by electronic process or
system
5.3 FRE 803(6) — Business Records Exception
For records of regularly conducted activity, DIVA documents the foundational
elements: (a) record made at or near time of event; (b) made by person with
knowledge or from information transmitted by such person; (c) kept in course of
regularly conducted activity; (d) made as regular practice of that activity; and (e) no
indication of untrustworthiness.

6. IMMUTABILITY MECHANISM
DIVA achieves document immutability through a layered approach combining
internal controls with external anchoring:
6.1 Internal Immutability Layer
• Append-Only Data Structures: All audit log entries are append-only;
modification of historical entries is architecturally prohibited.
• Hash Chain Integrity: Each audit entry includes hash of previous entry,
creating tamper-evident chain where any modification invalidates all
subsequent entries.
• Cryptographic Timestamping: RFC 3161 compliant timestamps from
trusted timestamp authority for critical verification events.
• Role Separation: No single administrator can modify audit records;
administrative actions require multi-party authorization.
6.2 External Immutability Layer
• Bitcoin Blockchain Anchoring: Document hashes anchored to Bitcoin
blockchain via OP_RETURN transactions, creating existence proofs beyond
DIVA system control.
• Merkle Tree Aggregation: Multiple document hashes aggregated into Merkle
tree; only root hash published to blockchain, enabling efficient verification of
large document sets.
• Independent Archive Deposit: Verified document packages deposited with
Internet Archive and/or institutional repositories providing independent
preservation.
• Distributed Witness Network: Cryptographic attestations from
geographically distributed nodes confirming document state at specified
timestamps.
7. ROLE-BASED ACCESS CONTROL SPECIFICATION
DIVA implements granular access control aligned with investigation workflows and
legal privilege requirements:
1. System Administrator: Technical system maintenance; cannot access
document content or modify audit records; limited to infrastructure
management.
2. Designated Investigator: Full access to assigned case documents; can
upload, verify, annotate; primary workflow participant; actions fully logged.
3. Reviewing Attorney: Read access to verified documents and verification
reports; can add privileged annotations visible only to legal team; cannot
modify underlying documents.
4. Expert Witness: Read access to specific documents designated for expert
review; can add technical annotations; access limited to engagement scope.
5. Public Submitter: Can submit documents and supporting information; cannot
access case files; receives confirmation of submission only.

6. Agency Liaison: Read access to referral packages prepared for specific
agency; cannot access raw case files; limited to designated submission
documents.
7. Audit Reviewer: Read-only access to audit logs and verification reports for
compliance monitoring; cannot access document content.
8. Executive Director: Full system access for organizational oversight; all
actions logged; cannot unilaterally modify audit records.

8. EXTERNAL SYSTEM INTEGRATION REQUIREMENTS
DIVA shall support integration with the following external systems to enable
comprehensive investigation workflows:
8.1 Court System Integration
1. PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records): Automated retrieval
and verification of federal court filings; docket monitoring for case updates.
2. State Court Electronic Filing Systems: Integration with Tennessee court
systems including TN-CROS and county-specific platforms.
3. CM/ECF (Case Management/Electronic Case Files): Export formatting
compatible with federal court electronic filing requirements.
8.2 Federal Agency Integration
4. DOJ-OIG Referral Format: Standardized package format for Department of
Justice Office of Inspector General submissions.
5. FBI Tips Portal: Formatted submission packages compatible with FBI
electronic tip submission system.
6. SEC EDGAR: Cross-reference capability with SEC filings for financial
investigation matters.
7. FinCEN SAR Database: Format compatibility for suspicious activity report
supporting documentation.
8. HUD-OIG: Referral package format for housing-related fraud and corruption
matters.
8.3 Document Management Integration
9. Standard Document Formats: Import/export support for PDF, DOCX, XLSX,
images, audio, video with metadata preservation.
10.E-Discovery Platforms: Export compatibility with Relativity, Concordance,
and similar litigation support systems.
11.Archive Systems: Integration with Internet Archive Wayback Machine and
institutional repository APIs.
9. CORE DATA MODEL
The DIVA database shall implement the following core entities and relationships:
9.1 Primary Entities
• Case: Investigation matter containing multiple documents; includes case
identifier, title, status, assigned personnel, jurisdiction, and case timeline.
• Document: Individual evidentiary item; includes document identifier, current
verification level, baseline hash, file reference, and classification.
• Verification Record: Checkpoint completion record; links document to
specific checkpoint with completion timestamp, verifier, and supporting
evidence.

• Audit Entry: Immutable record of system event; includes event type, actor,
timestamp, affected entity, and previous entry hash.
• User: System user account; includes identity verification, role assignments,
access permissions, and authentication credentials.
• Entity: Person, organization, or location referenced across documents;
enables cross-document relationship mapping.
• Blockchain Anchor: External anchoring record; includes transaction
identifier, block number, confirmation count, and linked document hashes.
10. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS
10.1 Authentication
• Multi-factor authentication required for all user accounts
• Session timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity
• Failed login lockout after 5 attempts
10.2 Encryption
• TLS 1.3 for all data in transit
• AES-256 encryption for all data at rest
• Hardware security module (HSM) for cryptographic key management
10.3 Infrastructure
• Geographically distributed backup with 4-hour recovery point objective
• Annual penetration testing by independent security firm
• SOC 2 Type II compliance target within 18 months of production deployment

11. SYSTEM-GENERATED ARTIFACTS
DIVA shall generate the following standardized output documents:
• DIVA Verification Certificate: Comprehensive document attesting to
completion of all twenty checkpoints with supporting evidence references.
• Chain of Custody Report: Complete custody history from origination through
current status with custodian attestations.
• Authentication Foundation Package: FRE-compliant documentation
supporting document admissibility including applicable rule citations.
• Federal Agency Referral Package: Agency-specific formatted submission
with executive summary, evidence index, and supporting documentation.
• Blockchain Verification Report: External anchoring documentation including
transaction details, block confirmations, and verification instructions.
• Audit Trail Export: Complete audit log for specified document or case in
machine-readable and human-readable formats.
• Spoliation Alert Report: Documentation of detected tampering including
forensic analysis, timeline, and responsible party identification where
determinable.
12. IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP
12.1 Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-3)
• Core database schema and Django application framework
• User authentication and role-based access control
• Document upload with SHA-256 hash generation
• Basic audit logging infrastructure
• Level 1 checkpoint implementation
12.2 Phase 2: Verification Engine (Months 4-6)
• Level 2-3 checkpoint implementation
• Entity resolution and cross-reference engine
• Timeline integration module
• Chain of custody documentation system
• Hash chain audit log implementation
12.3 Phase 3: Legal Compliance (Months 7-9)
• FRE compliance checklist automation
• Authentication foundation package generator
• Federal agency referral package templates
• Court system integration (PACER, state systems)
12.4 Phase 4: External Anchoring (Months 10-12)
• Bitcoin blockchain anchoring integration

• Distributed witness network deployment
• Third-party archive integration
• DIVA Verification Certificate generator

13. DOCUMENT APPROVAL
This Functional Requirements Document establishes the authoritative specification
for DIVA system development. Implementation shall conform to these requirements
unless modified by written amendment approved by the Executive Director.
Prepared and Approved by:
_____________________________________________
Executive Director and Founder
Tennessee Transparency Institute
Date: _______________________
Document Control:
Version: 1.0
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
Distribution: Limited to authorized TTI personnel and contracted development
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