A Case Study on How to Use Siren “Simple” Search
Summary
Siren Investigate is a comprehensive platform designed to help users find and connect relevant information across diverse data sources. The platform consists of three main pillars: Search, Connect, and Report, with the Search functionality serving as a powerful entry point for investigations. In this video byte, Davide Paoletti, PhD, a Data Scientist at Siren, demonstrates how the Siren Search component creates a “single pane of glass” that brings together previously disconnected data sources.
Challenge
Organizations frequently struggle with data fragmentation where they often need to manually search through separate databases and manually connect related information, a time-consuming process prone to missing critical connections. Without a unified search system, important relationships between vehicles, people, communication records, and other data points can remain undiscovered.
Solution Implementation
The Siren Search interface provides a clean, intuitive experience with a search bar at the top and dynamic filters on the left side. These dynamic filters provide an overview of available data categories and combine Siren’s data model with AI capabilities to automatically connect related information from different sources.
A simple search for “Ford Mustang” instantly generates a comprehensive view showing vehicle data, owner information, address details with maps, and license plate recognition data from traffic cameras.
Searching for suspect “Roger Underwood” connects data points revealing his involvement in 26 cases, vehicle ownership, and vehicle locations, while examining his messages dynamically displays suspicious communication patterns.
“Even if these are all disconnected sources, the system is connecting them for me.”
Results and Metrics
The Siren Search functionality delivers several measurable benefits for investigators:
- Data Consolidation: Immediate integration of information across multiple sources, eliminating the need to search separate databases.
- Automatic Visualization: Dynamic connection mapping between related entities (people, vehicles, communications) that reveals hidden relationships.
- Adaptive Displays: Context-aware visualizations that change based on the type of data being examined, from maps for locations to bubble charts for communications.
- Pattern Recognition: Quick identification of suspicious behaviors, such as conversations moving to encrypted platforms.
Streamlined Collection: Simple gathering and organization of relevant information into structured case files for further investigation.
Conclusions
Siren Search represents a significant advancement in investigative technology by democratizing access to complex data analysis capabilities. The platform’s ability to reveal hidden connections between entities, communications, and events enables investigators to quickly develop comprehensive case understanding and identify critical leads.
