  The determination of the nuclear spectral function from the measured cross
section of the electron-nucleus scattering process $e + A \to e^\prime + p +
(A-1)$is discussed, and illustrated for the case of a carbon target. The
theoretical model based on the local density approximation, previously employed
to derive the spectral function from a combination of accurate theoretical
calculations and experimental data, has been developed further by including
additional information obtained from measurements performed with high missing
energy resolution. The implications for the analysis of $\gamma$-ray emission
associated with nuclear deexcitation are considered.
