Ask Your Data: The Power of Natural Language Queries in Law Enforcement 

Date Posted: March 20th, 2025

You’re buried under mountains of data—thousands of pages from digital evidence, social media records, and forensic extracts—each critical to your investigation. Sifting through it all is not only exhausting but also a drain on your time and resources. You’ve probably wondered: Is there a faster way to make sense of all this information? The answer is yes. With the power of generative AI, you can ask your data direct questions and get immediate, actionable insights—all without needing to be a data expert. 

Generative AI tools like Penlink’s CoAnalyst are transforming how law enforcement professionals interact with data. By combining advanced AI with natural language processing, CoAnalyst allows you to query complex datasets using everyday language, delivering relevant results in seconds. This means fewer hours of manual work and more time focusing on what matters most: solving cases. 

The Problem with Traditional Data Analysis 

Traditional data analysis methods can be overwhelming and inefficient for investigators. Imagine working through raw data from thousands of files—call records, social media data, and financial transactions—each stored in different formats. This manual process often requires technical expertise and endless time-consuming searches through various platforms. 

Even when data is gathered, finding answers often means applying complicated filters and building queries that only an advanced analyst would know how to execute. This complexity can slow investigations and increase the risk of missing key connections. 

That’s where natural language queries powered by generative AI change the game. 

What Is a Natural Language Query? 

A natural language query (NLQ) is exactly what it sounds like: asking your data a question in plain, everyday language, just like you would ask a colleague. Think about how you might search Google for a restaurant—”Where’s the best pizza near me?” Now, imagine asking your investigative data something like: 

• “Which social media accounts are associated with this phone number?” 

• “Who interacted with this target the most in the last month?” 

• “Show all images with firearms from this data set.” 

Instead of manually sorting through files, CoAnalyst provides instant answers by analyzing multiple data sources, such as open-source intelligence (OSINT), mobile forensic data, and financial transactions. The result? Clear, concise insights that help you act quickly. 

Simplifying Investigations with CoAnalyst 

1. Instant Insights at Your Fingertips 

CoAnalyst eliminates the need for complex filters and technical searches. Just type a question, and the tool processes the relevant data and delivers accurate results. Whether you’re looking for patterns in social media interactions or tracking a suspect’s financial activity, CoAnalyst makes it simple. 

For example, if you receive a suspect’s social media data as part of a legal search warrant, you can ask CoAnalyst: 
“Who are this suspect’s most frequent connections?” 
Instead of scrolling through hundreds of pages, you’ll receive a summary highlighting the key individuals. 

2. Visualized Data for Better Understanding 

CoAnalyst doesn’t just give you answers; it helps you visualize the data. From creating graphs and charts to summarizing patterns, the tool presents the information in digestible formats that can be shared with leadership, attorneys, or other departments. 

Need a quick snapshot of criminal activity trends in a specific city? CoAnalyst can generate a heatmap or timeline with just a few clicks. 

3. Ask Questions Across Multiple Data Sources 

Gone are the days of searching each data source individually. CoAnalyst combines structured and unstructured data from multiple platforms—including mobile device forensics, OSINT, call detail records, and financial data—allowing you to ask comprehensive questions and receive a full picture in response. 

For instance, if you’re investigating a target’s activities, you could ask: 
“What locations did this person visit in the last six months based on their call detail records and social media check-ins?” 
CoAnalyst will pull all relevant data into a unified timeline, making it easier to connect the dots. 

Why Natural Language Queries Matter 

The power of natural language queries lies in their simplicity. You don’t need to be a tech expert or learn complex search syntax—just ask a question in plain language. This democratizes access to data and makes it easier for all investigators, regardless of technical skill, to get the insights they need. 

Additionally, natural language queries reduce the likelihood of human error and help uncover patterns you may have otherwise missed. By freeing up your time and mental bandwidth, CoAnalyst allows you to focus on strategy, investigation, and action—not on data wrangling. 

Conclusion: Transform Your Investigations with a Simple Question 

In a world where time and accuracy are critical, tools like CoAnalyst are revolutionizing law enforcement investigations. The ability to ask your data questions and receive clear, actionable insights changes everything. No more endless filtering, no more hours lost in data overwhelm—just fast, accurate answers that let you stay ahead. 

Ready to See the Power of Natural Language Queries? 

Take your investigations to the next level with CoAnalyst. Get a Demo today and experience the future of data-driven investigations.