A Narrative Analytical Review of Recovering Dark Data in Digital Document Preservation: An OAIS-Informed Perspective

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital information has produced substantial dark data, unstructured, poorly described records lacking clear evidentiary purpose, which threatens institutional memory and evidentiary integrity. This narrative analytical review, using a PRISMA-adapted protocol across 45 sources, examines the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) as a framework for dark data recovery. A four-dimensional typology is proposed: structural stabilization, contextual reconstruction, evidentiary restoration, and ethical governance. OAIS Information Packages and Preservation Description Information enable reconstructive archival processes, restoring traceability and authenticity where provenance is incomplete. When augmented with AI-assisted metadata enrichment and ethical oversight, OAIS workflows transform dark data from latent liability into research-ready, trustworthy assets. This review highlights the integration of archival theory, metadata standards, and AI-driven curation to enhance discoverability, preserve authenticity, and mitigate epistemic and ethical risks, positioning OAIS as a dynamic infrastructure for responsible digital preservation and evidence-informed research.