Why Every Investigator Needs an 'Easy Button': The Evolution of AI in Investigations

Date Posted: May 28th, 2025

Investigative Challenges in the Digital Age

Modern investigations are more complex than ever. With overwhelming volumes of digital evidence—ranging from call detail records (CDRs) to social media interactions, financial transactions, and mobile forensic extractions—law enforcement professionals face an uphill battle. Sifting through terabytes of data manually is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors.

What if there was an easy button for investigations? Enter AI-powered solutions like CoAnalyst and PLX, designed to streamline workflows, accelerate case analysis, and surface critical intelligence in seconds. Here’s how AI is transforming investigations and why every investigator needs this digital “easy button.”

The Traditional Approach: Slow, Manual, and Overwhelming

Investigators have traditionally relied on manual processes to collect, filter, and analyze data. This approach has major drawbacks:

  • Time-Consuming Data Review: Manually combing through massive data sets delays investigations.
  • Inconsistent Analysis: Different investigators may interpret data differently, leading to discrepancies.
  • Resource-Intensive Workflows: Investigators spend hours on administrative tasks instead of solving cases.
  • Missed Connections: Hidden patterns in complex data often go unnoticed.

With digital evidence growing exponentially, manual methods alone are no longer sustainable. Investigators need a tool that simplifies the process without sacrificing accuracy.

The AI ‘Easy Button’: How CoAnalyst and PLX Simplify Investigations

AI-powered investigative tools act as a force multiplier, enhancing the speed and precision of digital investigations. Here’s why AI is the ultimate easy button for law enforcement:

  1. Seamless Integration with PLX for Data Management
    PLX centralizes digital evidence from CDRs, social media, forensic extractions, and financial records.
    Investigators can access all relevant case data in one platform, eliminating the need to switch between multiple tools.
    With a single click, CoAnalyst processes PLX data and provides instant insights.
  2. Instant Answers with Natural Language Processing (NLP)
    With AI tools like CoAnalyst, investigators no longer need advanced technical skills to analyze data. They can simply ask:
  • “Are there any suspicious financial transactions over $10,000?”
  • “Show me all social media interactions between these two suspects.”
  • “What phone numbers are linked to this address?”


CoAnalyst understands natural language, interprets queries, and retrieves relevant insights in seconds, not days.

  1. Automated Pattern Recognition
    AI quickly detects criminal patterns, anomalies, and trends that might be overlooked in manual reviews.
    It flags high-risk behaviors, unusual location movements, and suspicious financial activities within large datasets.
    Investigators can focus on actionable intelligence rather than spending hours searching for clues.
  2. Automated Reports and Visualizations
    Instead of manually compiling reports, AI can generate court-ready documents, charts, and network diagrams in seconds.
    Investigators can visualize connections between suspects, see location histories, and detect hidden relationships effortlessly.

The Impact: Faster, Smarter, More Efficient Investigations

By incorporating AI-powered tools like CoAnalyst and PLX, law enforcement agencies can:

  • Reduce investigation time by automating repetitive tasks.
  • Improve case accuracy with AI-driven insights and pattern recognition.
  • Eliminate analysis bottlenecks with instant answers to complex queries.
  • Improve collaboration by securely sharing intelligence across teams.

AI doesn’t replace investigators—it empowers them to focus on critical decision-making, strategic analysis, and case resolution rather than drowning in data.

The Future of AI in Investigations

The integration of AI in law enforcement is not just a trend—it’s the future of digital investigations. As criminals adopt more advanced methods to evade detection, investigators need equally advanced tools to stay ahead.

With AI acting as an easy button, agencies can shift from reactive casework to proactive crime prevention, identifying threats before they escalate.

Ready to See AI in Action?

Discover how PLX and CoAnalyst can transform your investigative workflow.
Request a live demo and experience AI-powered investigations firsthand.

Back to Resources

Related Articles