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How to use Sonix Workspaces for criminal investigations

This article explains how to use Sonix AI Workspaces to organize, search, compare, and analyze evidence during criminal investigations.

Written by Taylor Jennings

Important Notes

  • Create one Workspace for each investigation or case.

  • A Workspace can bring together recordings, transcripts, reports, and other case documents in one place.

  • Sonix can transcribe audio and video into searchable, timestamped transcripts that can be analyzed alongside other case materials.

  • Sonix Workspaces can help investigators reconstruct events, compare different accounts, trace important details, and organize findings.

  • Sonix analyzes materials together and cites the underlying sources used in its responses.

  • As new interviews, recordings, or documents become available, add them to the same Workspace to continue the investigation.

Recommended Workflow

1. Build a Workspace around the investigation

Create a Workspace for the case and bring together the evidence you want to investigate, such as:

  • Bodycam and dashcam footage

  • Witness, victim, and suspect interviews

  • Interrogations

  • 911 and dispatch recordings

  • Jail and detention calls

  • Police and incident reports

  • Surveillance recordings

  • Supporting documents

Sonix transcribes audio and video into searchable, timestamped transcripts that can be analyzed alongside the other case materials.

2. Reconstruct what happened

A good place to start is asking Sonix to build a picture of the incident from all available sources.

Try questions like:

  • Create a chronological timeline of the events in this case.

  • What happened in the 30 minutes before and after the incident?

  • Who was present, and what does the evidence say each person was doing?

  • Summarize the key facts established across the evidence.

Sonix analyzes the materials together and cites the underlying sources used in its response.

3. Compare different accounts

Investigations often contain multiple versions of the same event. Use the Workspace to compare them.

For example:

  • Compare the accounts given by the three witnesses. Where do they agree and disagree?

  • Does the suspect's interview conflict with anything shown in the bodycam footage or police reports?

  • Identify statements that changed between the first and second interviews.

4. Follow people, places, and details across the case

Instead of manually reviewing hours of recordings, ask Sonix to trace specific information across the evidence.

For example:

  • Find every mention of John Smith.

  • Where is the blue Honda mentioned?

  • Find all references to a firearm.

  • What evidence discusses who had access to the apartment?

  • Find every mention of the phone number 555-5555.

This can help surface connections that are spread across different recordings and documents.

5. Turn the evidence into investigative work product

Once you've explored the evidence, use the Workspace to organize what you've learned.

For example:

  • Prepare a witness summary for John Smith, including his key statements and any inconsistencies.

  • Summarize the evidence supporting and contradicting the current theory of events.

  • Identify unanswered questions or gaps in the investigation.

  • Create a case briefing covering the timeline, key people, important evidence, conflicting statements, and outstanding questions.

As new interviews, recordings, or documents arrive, add them to the same Workspace and continue investigating.

Sonix Workspaces gives your team a way to move from hundreds of individual files to a searchable, connected view of the investigation while keeping the analysis tied to the original evidence.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Why can't Sonix find information I know is in the investigation materials?

Make sure the relevant recordings, transcripts, and documents have been added to the correct Workspace and are available for analysis. For audio and video files, confirm that they have been successfully transcribed before asking questions about their contents.

Why isn't a recording available for analysis in my Workspace?

Verify that the recording has been successfully uploaded and processed. Audio and video files may need to be transcribed before their contents can be searched and analyzed within the Workspace.

What should I do if a transcript or document contains incomplete information?

Review the original recording or document to confirm that the information is present. For audio and video files, check the transcript for missing or inaccurate portions and make any necessary corrections before using the material for further analysis.

Why can't I get an answer to a question about my investigation?

Make sure the relevant evidence has been added to the Workspace and try rephrasing your question with more specific details. You can also review the source materials to confirm that the information you're looking for is included in the Workspace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add new evidence to a Workspace after creating it?

Yes. As new interviews, recordings, or documents become available, you can add them to the same Workspace and continue your analysis with the updated case materials.

Can Sonix help identify inconsistencies between different accounts?

Yes. You can ask Sonix to compare witness statements, suspect interviews, bodycam footage, police reports, and other evidence to identify where accounts agree, differ, or change over time.

Can Sonix help identify gaps in an investigation?

Yes. You can ask Sonix to identify unanswered questions, conflicting statements, missing information, or other gaps based on the evidence available in your Workspace.

Can Sonix help create investigative work products?

Yes. You can use the Workspace to create materials such as witness summaries, case briefings, evidence summaries, timelines, and lists of outstanding questions.

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For further assistance, please contact Sonix support at [email protected] or through the chatbox located in the bottom right corner of our website.

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