Data Sleuth

Chapter 10Standard Data Sleuth Analyses: Interesting Data Findings, Risk Indicator Analysis, and Payroll Analysis

MOST CLIENT CASES WORKED by Workman Forensics involve bank account and credit card account data and the Source and Use Summaries explained in Chapter 9. This provides a starting point to addressing client concerns and investigation priorities. However, a Source and Use Summary is only a high-level examination indicating where money came from and how it was used. It does not identify anomalies within the detailed underlying data. That is why the Interesting Data Findings analysis was created. It combines the power of data analysis with the intentionality and problem-solving of an investigation to answer the client's questions. The Interesting Data Findings is now a standard detailed analysis that allows investigators and analysts to perform what are now considered to be standard data analysis tests on client data for identifying outliers and anomalies.

Sometimes, especially when other supporting evidence is lacking, the best analysis requires identification of characteristics or specific indicators within the data. An analyst may not be able to confirm that a subject benefited at the expense of a client, but she may be able to organize and prioritize the transactions indicating the highest risk of fraud by identifying the fraud-risk characteristics of the data, or risk indicators. Risk indicator analysis has proven extremely helpful with investigating allegations ...