Analytic Investigations (Basic Level)

Developing Unbiased Information in Investigative Inquiries

What you'll learn
What Bias is and how you can minimize it while collecting information
What a Source Reliability flow is, and how to conduct a Source Reliability Assessment
What the Information Credibility flow is, and how to conduct an Information Credibility Assessment
How Source Reliability and Information Credibility combine to create valid and unbiased assessments
BONUS: Learn how to "Sharpen the Saw" and stay at your analytic best!
Requirements
Students should have a general understanding of investigations.
Description
By the end of this course you will know:What Bias is and how to minimize its influence when collecting information for your investigative inquiryWhat the Source Reliability flow is and how to conduct a Source Reliability Assessment to improve the pool of information sourcesWhat the Information Credibility flow is and how to conduct an Information Credibility Assessment to reduce biasHow Source Reliability and Information Credibility merge to create valid and unbiased assessments and provide actionable information This course is designed for professionals new or newly assigned to investigative inquiries, and related responsibilities including: Private Investigators, Insurance Claims and Fraud Investigators, Law Enforcement Investigators, Journalists, Attorneys or anyone in the public safety / public security and Business sectors. Successful investigative professionals recognize the value of reliable sources and understand the need for credible information.This basic course will introduce you to a simple method to help you make better assessments of the reliability of your sources of information, as well as the credibility of the information itself to make your best decision. This a basic level course and is not designed or intended for the experienced, seasoned expert. It is the first of three courses in Analytic Investigations Training series, so if you already have extensive experience as an intelligence expert, or have completed advanced training in this field, I recommend you check out the more advanced courses on this topic. In order to help new or newer analysts continue to hone and improve your skills, I have included a bonus section at the end of this course.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Introduction to the Fundamentals of Analytical Investigations

Lecture 2 Data sources, limits and shelf life

Lecture 3 What you will learn in this course

Lecture 4 Instinct vs. Evidence

Lecture 5 Source Reliability / Information Credibility

Lecture 6 Source Reliability and Information Credibility

Lecture 7 Recognizing Our Bias

Lecture 8 Bias Exercise Answer Solution

Lecture 9 Biases, a Brief Explanation

Lecture 10 The Un-Biasing Process

Lecture 11 Probability Formula

Lecture 12 Consider the following Scenario

Lecture 13 Scenario answer solution

Lecture 14 Internal Sources are typically the Best Sources

Lecture 15 Source Reliability Flow: Relationship to the Information

Lecture 16 Source Reliability Flow: Source Characteristics

Lecture 17 Source Reliability Assessment

Lecture 18 Consider the following Scenario

Lecture 19 Problem Solution

Lecture 20 Halfway Point!

Lecture 21 Information Credibility Flow

Lecture 22 How would you Proceed (continued from previous scenario)

Lecture 23 Consider the following to help in your Information Credibility Assessment

Lecture 24 Problem Solution

Lecture 25 Source Reliability / Information Credibility Flow

Lecture 26 Summary

Lecture 27 Final Step

Lecture 28 Wrap-up

Lecture 29 Review

Lecture 30 End

Section 2: BONUS: Sharpen the Saw!

Section 3: Bonus: Analytical Tools (a brief examination)

Lecture 31 Introduction to Analytical Tools

Lecture 32 Source of data

Lecture 33 Data Usage

Lecture 34 What are Biometrics?

Lecture 35 Association Matrix

Lecture 36 Activities Matrix

Lecture 37 Putting it all together

Lecture 38 The Link Analysis Diagram or Chart

Lecture 39 Walkthrough example

Lecture 40 Wrap-up

This course is designed for professionals with investigative responsibilities including, but not limited to: Attorneys, Private Investigators, Insurance Investigators, Military and Civilian Police Investigators, Fraud Investigators, Journalists, Consulting Investigators, and more!