How Analysts Think

Abstract

In this paper we present three cognitive acts analysts use while solving criminal cases: intuition, leap of faith and insight. We used the Emergent Themes Analysis to find out how these cognitive acts help analysts’ inference making and what are their features. We analyzed the interviews with six analysts that were done with the Critical Decision Method. What we discovered is that intuition, leap of faith and insight relate to each other creating an integrated process while solving problems. We propose that a leap of faith occurs between intuition and insight. This is a preliminary study that we plan to develop further. However, current results are interesting enough that we hope the findings may help us design computer systems that will facilitate the process of solving criminal cases by analysts.Criminal intelligence analysis, analytical reasoning, inference making, intuition, leap of faith, insight, critical decision method.