Data analysis

Fraud prevention and investigation
There are many situations where a picture tells a thousand stories but, none more so than when that picture has the ability to track fraudulent behaviour within an organisation. By understanding the connection between what may seem to be unrelated incidences, patterns and relationships become apparent and these relationships help to explain previously 'unexplainable' discrepancies. Without using specific tools to track information, uncovering the full extent of a fraud in your organisation may never happen - and that doesn't mean that fraud isn't occurring, it just means it is hidden beneath so much information it can't be seen.

Dispute resolution
There can often be so much information consumed in litigation that by charting the information, links and relationships become apparent that otherwise may not have been recognised. A visual representation can provide a legal team with an essential tool for explaining the relationships and links within a particular matter and potentially direct them to other previously unknown aspects.

How can we help you?

• Data visualisation revealing relationships, links and patterns in a graphical representation
• Data mining of significant quantities of information in an investigation or litigation
• Issues identification
• Data selection and acquisition for investigation of litigation processes
• Information analysis and interpretation

Service details 

A detailed description of our data analysis services is provided below.

Visualisation
Being able to visualise data can reveal links, relationships and patterns in a graphical representation, often simplifying detailed and complex information.

• Relationships between entities, financial and other transactions and assets
• The ability to link evidence into a graphical representation
• The ability to differentiate between the quality of evidence

The chart is a living document and can grow as further information linked to the investigation or litigation becomes apparent

Data mining
The data mining phase of any investigation or litigation is extremely important, especially if you want the information discovered to stand up in a court of law.

Data selection and acquisition
There are a number of questions that need to be asked in relation to data selection and acquisition. The answers to these questions will determine what information is selected, how it is retrieved and how useful that information will ultimately be when it is used throughout the investigation or litigation process. To ensure that the process provides the most appropriate information, the forensic experts at BDO Kendalls have the experience to identify the appropriate date to be analysed. 

Information analysis
Anomalies and patterns in information will only become apparent once we obtain a complete understanding of the matter. Only then can information be examined in a way that it may become useful. This knowledge allows us to choose the most appropriate method to analyse the data and how we data mine the information depends on the task at hand and the objective set during the issue identification stage.

Interpreting the results
Findings need to be interpreted in ways that are understandable, with a clear view for the necessary follow-up actions. This could include the development of additional avenues of investigation, identification of previously unknown issues or the discovery of patterns of information that through their recurring nature suggest a larger problem than previously suspected.