Timeline Visualization

Understanding Timeline Analysis

Timeline visualization is a powerful feature in Analyst's Notebook that allows you to analyze events and activities over time. By visualizing temporal data, you can identify patterns, sequences, and anomalies that might not be apparent in traditional link charts.

Key Skills Covered

• Creating timeline charts
• Adding date and time information to entities
• Working with theme lines
• Visualizing event sequences
• Identifying temporal patterns
• Switching between network and timeline views
• Using the time bar for navigation

Applications of Timeline Analysis

Timeline analysis is particularly valuable in various intelligence contexts:

• Crime series analysis to identify patterns in criminal activity
• Investigating communication patterns between individuals
• Tracking movement of persons of interest
• Analyzing financial transactions over time
• Reconstructing sequences of events in investigations

Best Practices

When creating timeline visualizations, consider these best practices:

• Use consistent time formats for all entities
• Group related events on theme lines
• Include sufficient detail in event descriptions
• Use color coding to distinguish different types of events
• Consider using both absolute and relative time views for analysis