Investigative Prioritization Aggregator
Description
This use case intends to solve the problem of overwhelming data volumes that make it difficult for HSI personnel to prioritize high-value targets in criminal investigations.
Detailed example
The output is scored entity data (such as a phone number or legal name). This scoring system helps to understand the importance of an entity to investigations and the potential consequences of removing or neutralizing that entity.
AI / analytics pattern
Classical/Predictive Machine Learning: Models trained on data to make predictions or classifications based on identified patterns or relationships.
Automation level / stage
c) Deployed – The use case is being actively authorized or utilized to support the functions or mission of an agency.
Expected benefit
The sheer volume of data associated with investigations often overwhelms human capabilities, making it challenging for HSI personnel to analyze evidence and identify key players in criminal networks. Currently, there is no effective mechanism to quantify the level of evidence related to a particular subject or entity, or to determine which actors within a network are the most influential. This is particularly critical in the context of the counter-opioid/fentanyl mission, where timely and accurate intelligence is essential. To address this challenge, this project utilizes machine learning to assign point values to data, enabling the scoring of information associated with a given selector, such as a phone number or legal name. This scoring system helps to understand the importance of an entity to investigations and the potential consequences of removing or neutralizing that entity. By doing so, HSI personnel can focus on high-priority targets and associated criminal networks, ultimately enhancing their ability to disrupt and dismantle these threats.
Audit / financial statement impact
This use case provides more efficient data processing for HSI personnel. The AI output may be used to produce investigative insights in the form of data, information leads or connections that HSI personnel can use to inform investigations, but the output itself is data preparation and organization so HSI personnel can produce those leads when combining the AI output with the personnel’s expertise and other relevant investigative data and information. Personnel may use these insights for law enforcement purposes in ongoing investigations with existing targets to assist in activities such as producing risk assessments about individuals or identifying criminal suspects; however, all insights are reviewed and validated by both personnel and supervisors before being included in any official case management system, and do not serve as a principal basis for law enforcement action or decision. Any enforcement decisions related to these insights are outcomes of the full Federal Investigation Process involving verifying any insights as evidence (including validating AI-translated material by a certified interpreter), presentation to a U.S. Attorney’s Office and potentially a District Court judge, decision to prosecute, judicial review, and trial and sentencing.
Controls / human review
ATO: Yes; PIA: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/25_0618_priv_pia-ice-055-raven-appendix-update.pdf
Data needed
Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES) investigative data.