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Episode: 00308 Released on March 2, 2026 Description:  Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how crime analysts work, but many analysts are still unsure where it truly fits in their role. In this episode, Christopher Cruz returns to Analyst Talk with Jason Elder to discuss AI’s real impact on law enforcement analysis, the concept of the analyst as a technologist, and why AI should be viewed as a tool for efficiency rather than replacement. The conversation explores data cleaning automation, report generation, custom large language models, trust and verification, and how agencies are cautiously piloting AI solutions. Chris also shares insights on staffing gaps, vendor-driven AI deployments, and why analysts who learn to leverage AI will free up time for deeper analytical work instead of clerical tasks. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]Name Drops: Jan Mondale (00:07:00), Dawn Reeby (00:11:30), Mike Watson (00:27:00)Public Service Announcements: Dr. Eliann Carr promoting the Crime Analyst Census SurveyLink to survey:  https://form.jotform.com/251745683433058 Related Links: https://chriscruz.cc/ https://www.justice.gov/ai https://huggingface.co/ https://www.nist.gov/itl/ai-risk-management-framework Key Terms:Large Language Model (LLM) – AI systems trained on massive text data to generate responses and analyze informationAI Hallucinations – When AI produces incorrect or fabricated information confidentlyOn-Premise AI – AI systems hosted locally on agency servers for data securityCustom GPTs – AI tools trained with specific documents and instructions for specialized useAnalyst as Technologist – The evolving role where analysts bridge data, IT, and operational needsAssociation(s) Mentioned:  Vendor(s) Mentioned: Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cruzcr/ Transcript:  https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/e9mhcar22x847wbq/ChrisCruzAI_transcript.pdf Podcast Writer: Podcast Researcher: Theme Song: Written and Recorded by The Rough & Tumble. Find more of their music at www.theroughandtumble.com.Logo: Designed by Kyle McMullen. Please visit www.moderntype.com for any printable business forms and planners. Podcast Email: leapodcasts@gmail.com  Podcast Webpage: www.leapodcasts.com  Podcast X: @leapodcasts
00:00:17 – Introducing Chris01:00 AI and the analyst perspective02:30 Analyst as a technologist concept05:30 Entry-level AI vs advanced AI tools07:30 Trust but verify AI outputs and sources09:00 Current state of AI adoption in policing12:00 AI handling clerical and time-consuming tasks15:00 Using custom AI tools trained on analyst workflows17:00 AI fixing messy datasets and data cleaning19:00 Hallucinations, accuracy, and verification risks20:50 Break: Dr. Eliann Carr24:00 Trust issues and legal considerations with AI26:00 Data security and on-premise LLMs31:00 Vendor-built AI systems vs custom deployments33:30 How analysts can support AI implementation36:00 Technology adoption challenges in agencies38:30 2026 outlook for AI in law enforcement41:00 AI in 911 and operational efficiency43:00 Final thoughts: AI amplifies, not replaces analysts

Episode: 00305 Released on February 9, 2026 Description: Many crime analysts are uncertain which AI tools are appropriate, useful, or even relevant to their role. In the fifth installment of Catching Up with Dawn, Dawn Reeby breaks down where artificial intelligence actually fits in crime analysis by focusing on practical tools analysts can use today. The conversation walks through specific examples involving ChatGPT, NotebookLM, and other AI-assisted platforms for tasks like creating cheat sheets, drafting policies, organizing meeting notes, developing roll-call videos, and communicating outcomes to leadership. Dawn also reminds listeners that Excel was once viewed with skepticism and is now standard in analytical work, reinforcing that AI is not a replacement for analysts but another evolution in the toolkit. Throughout the discussion, the emphasis remains on analyst judgment, review, and ethics, showing how AI supports stronger, more efficient analysis rather than replacing it. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking![Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]Get to know more about Dawn by listening to her episodes on Analyst Talk With Jason Elder: https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-dawn-reeby-the-ceo-analyst/ https://www.leapodcasts.com/?s=catching%20up%20with%20dawn 
Name Drops: Public Service Announcements: Podcast Listener Feedback Survey. To complete, click here. Related Links: https://dawnreeby.podia.com/ https://dawnreeby.podia.com/ai-micro-training-series-for-crime-analysts Other AI podcasts:https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-before-you-leap-navigate-ai-without-losing-tradecraft/ https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-ai-as-a-collaborator-debbie-osborne-s-book-writing-process/ https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-dr-andreas-olligschlaeger-ai-is-challenging-not-replacing/ https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-real-crime-all-the-time-ai-is-a-lead/ Association(s) Mentioned: 
Vendor(s) Mentioned: ChatGPT, Grok, Claude, NotebookLM
Contact: reach me at Dawn@excellenceinanalytics.com,  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnreeby/  
Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/txpxn36k24h6ch9h/Dawn05_transcript.pdf 
Podcast Writer: Podcast Researcher: Theme Song: Written and Recorded by The Rough & Tumble. Find more of their music at www.theroughandtumble.com.Logo: Designed by Kyle McMullen. Please visit www.moderntype.com for any printable business forms and planners. Podcast Email: leapodcasts@gmail.com  Podcast Webpage: www.leapodcasts.com  Podcast X: @leapodcasts

Episode: 00304 Released on February 2, 2026 Description: New tools often arrive faster than the discipline needed to use them well. Randy Stickley returns for another installment of Before You Leap to examine how artificial intelligence is entering analytic workflows and what analysts must consider before relying on it. The discussion explores AI hallucinations, large language models, writing and research augmentation, and the enduring role of human judgment in law enforcement analysis. Through real-world examples, cognitive illusions, and courtroom implications, this episode outlines where AI can support analysts, where it can mislead them, and why tradecraft, validation, and critical thinking must remain firmly in the driver’s seat. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]Get to know more about Randy by listening to his episodes on Analyst Talk With Jason Elder: https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-randy-stickley-the-self-promoter/ https://www.leapodcasts.com/?s=BeforeYouLeap 
Name Drops: Ryan Kapaun (00:05:56), Dr. Andreas Olligschlaeger (00:22:00), Christopher Cruz/Debbie Osborne (00:26:51)Public Service Announcements: Podcast Listener Feedback Survey. To complete, click here.Related Links:  Rethinking Thought https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ82G1PL/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk https://www.amazon.com/Intelligence-Secrets-Mark-M-Lowenthal/dp/1544325061 Association(s) Mentioned: Vendor(s) Mentioned: Contact: randall.c.stickleyii@gmail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/randall-stickley-36b0a5109/  Transcript:  https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/9g9pyss7w7wmcypa/BYL11_transcript.pdf Podcast Writer: Podcast Researcher: Theme Song: Written and Recorded by The Rough & Tumble. Find more of their music at www.theroughandtumble.com.Logo: Designed by Kyle McMullen. Please visit www.moderntype.com for any printable business forms and planners. Podcast Email: leapodcasts@gmail.com  Podcast Webpage: www.leapodcasts.com  Podcast X: @leapodcasts

Episode: 00303 Released on January 26, 2026 Description: Debbie Osborne returns to Analyst Talk to break down something few analysts have attempted: using AI to help write and publish a professional book. Debbie breaks down how she built the book, from structuring the content and collaborating with generative AI to validating sources, avoiding plagiarism, and working through the editorial process for a second edition with an academic publisher. This conversation tackles the real questions analysts have about AI, including authorship, credibility, transparency, and trust. Debbie explains why AI did not replace her expertise, but expanded what was possible, allowing one analyst to build a comprehensive crime pattern resource that would normally require an entire team. If you are curious about using AI for serious analytical writing, research, or professional legacy projects, this episode is a must listen. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]
Name Drops: Christopher Cruz (00:21:58), Chris Wheaton (00:20:15), David Jimenez (00:31:58)Public Service Announcements: Podcast Listener Feedback Survey. To complete, click here.Related Links: https://deborahosborne.com/ Contact:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-osborne-ba9735368/ Transcript:  https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ad7in7r727ih9ji5/DebbieOsborneAIBookProcess_Transcript.pdf Podcast Writer: Podcast Researcher: Theme Song: Written and Recorded by The Rough & Tumble. Find more of their music at www.theroughandtumble.com.Logo: Designed by Kyle McMullen. Please visit www.moderntype.com for any printable business forms and planners. Podcast Email: leapodcasts@gmail.com  Podcast Webpage: www.leapodcasts.com  Podcast Twitter: @leapodcasts
00:00:17 – Welcome back Debbie Osborne00:02:03 – The idea behind writing a crime-patterns book00:06:40 – From asking questions to structuring a full book00:12:43 – The biggest surprises AI introduced00:15:05 – Creating consistent structure across chapters00:18:24 – Break: Podcast Listener Feedback Survey00:19:05 – Bibliographies, sourcing, and plagiarism checks00:23:00 – Authorship, validation, and AI skepticism00:29:09 – Why AI enables projects humans couldn’t do alone
SEO Keywords: crime analysis, artificial intelligence, AI in law enforcement, writing with AI, generative AI, ChatGPT, Claude AI, crime patterns, modus operandi, analyst professional development, law enforcement research, analyst textbooks, AI ethics, AI authorship, crime analysis training

Episode: 00302 Released on January 19, 2026
Description: Artificial intelligence is everywhere but to what degree? Andreas Olligschlaeger returns to Analyst Talk for a deep dive into AI in law enforcement analysis. We break down what AI really is (and isn’t), explore graph databases, anomaly detection, and Graph RAG, and discuss how analysts can use AI without replacing human judgment. The conversation also tackles ethics, explainability, and why validation and transparency matter more than ever. This episode is a must-listen for analysts trying to separate real capability from AI hype. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]
Name Drops: Nancy Levine (00:32:07)Public Service Announcements: Related Links: https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-dr-andreas-olligschlaeger-the-futurist-analyst/ https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~olli/dissertation.html Other podcasts on AI:https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-david-jimenez-the-military-man-returns/ https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-phil-powell-the-fundamentals-analyst/ https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-real-crime-all-the-time-ai-is-a-lead/ AI Glossary:
https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/brief-history-artificial-intelligencehttps://www.policingproject.org/ai-explained-articles/2024/9/6/how-policing-agencies-use-ai
Anomaly detection:
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/machine-learning/anomaly-detection-using-isolation-forest/https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/machine-learning/anomaly-detection-using-isolation-forest/https://scikit-learn.org/stable/ (Python toolkit that includes anomaly detection using isolation forest)
Graph Databases:
https://neo4j.com/wp-content/themes/neo4jweb/assets/images/Graph_Databases_for_Beginners.pdfhttps://crozdesk.com/software-research/all-about-graphs-a-primerhttps://neo4j.com/docs/getting-started/graph-database/
Graph RAG:
https://neo4j.com/blog/genai/what-is-graphrag/https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.00309
Downloadable LLMs:
https://www.nomic.ai/gpt4all (runs on your local machine - does not upload data)https://lmstudio.ai/
AI Tools:Analyst-Friendly (Good Starting Points):
PythonBest for: Small, Medium, Large agenciesWhy: Widely used for data analysis, anomaly detection, and automation. Tons of tutorials and low barrier to entry. Website: https://www.python.org 
GitHubBest for: All agency sizesWhy: Primary source for open-source examples, tutorials, and AI/graph workflows discussed in the episode. Website: https://github.com 
ChatGPTBest for: Small, Medium agencies (non-sensitive use)Why: Helpful for drafting, summarizing, and learning concepts—but should not be used with sensitive or classified data. Website: https://chat.openai.com
Intermediate / Power-User Tools:
Neo4jBest for: Medium, Large agenciesWhy: Core graph database used to model relationships between people, places, and events. Very powerful once set up. Website: https://neo4j.com 
Apache TinkerPopBest for: Medium, Large agenciesWhy: Provides the Gremlin query language to work across different graph databases. Website: https://tinkerpop.apache.org 
i2 Analyst’s NotebookBest for: Medium, Large agenciesWhy: Industry-standard link analysis tool; often paired with graph databases for visualization. Website: https://i2group.com/  Advanced / Infrastructure-Heavy Tools:
DatabricksBest for: Large agencies, federal partnersWhy: Cloud-based analytics and machine learning platform with AI coding assistants. Powerful but complex. Website: https://www.databricks.com 
Microsoft AzureBest for: Large agenciesWhy: Used to host graph databases, AI models, and analytics pipelines at scale. Website: https://azure.microsoft.com 
GraphRAGBest for: Large agencies, research unitsWhy: Combines graph databases with LLMs to preserve context, relationships, and explainability. Website: https://github.com/microsoft/graphrag 
Secure / Local AI Options:
Hugging FaceBest for: Medium, Large agenciesWhy: Repository for open-source, locally hosted AI models to avoid sending data outside the agency. Website: https://huggingface.co 
OllamaBest for: Medium agenciesWhy: Allows agencies to run LLMs locally on their own hardware for added data security. Website: https://ollama.com
Association(s) Mentioned: Vendor(s) Mentioned: I2Contact:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreasolligschlaeger/ Transcript:  https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/y49ywmf2w4qetmne/AndreasOlligschlaeger2_transcript.pdf Podcast Writer: Podcast Researcher: Theme Song: Written and Recorded by The Rough & Tumble. Find more of their music at www.theroughandtumble.com.Logo: Designed by Kyle McMullen. Please visit www.moderntype.com for any printable business forms and planners. Podcast Email: leapodcasts@gmail.com  Podcast Webpage: www.leapodcasts.com  Podcast Twitter: @leapodcasts
00:00:17 – Reintroducing Olli00:01:32 – The real history of AI in law enforcement00:06:23 – Using AI to help analysts write code (and its limits)00:13:54 – Graph databases explained for crime analysts00:17:58 – Generating investigative leads with AI & graph analytics00:23:33 – Graph RAG: connecting documents, context, and explainability00:39:45 – Ethics, transparency, and keeping humans in the loop

Episode: 00289 Released on October 20, 2025 Description: In this fifth installment of the Real Crime All The Time series on Analyst Talk with Jason Elder, Nikki North joins Jason to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the future of Real-Time Crime Centers (RTCCs). Nikki shares firsthand experiences with facial recognition, vehicle detection, and integrated camera systems that accelerate investigations while emphasizing that AI is a lead, not a conclusion.From license plate readers and convoy searches to predictive alerts and policy compliance tools, Nikki discusses practical ways analysts can use AI responsibly without losing the human touch. The conversation also explores how technology affects data volume, ethical considerations, and what the next five years may hold for analysts as AI continues to evolve.Nikki also provides updates from the National Real Time Crime Center Association (NRTCCA) conference. She introduces a new organization for civilian staff, the National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety (NAPSPPS). She ends by sharing exciting personal news about becoming a new mom. [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]Get to know more about Nikki by listening to her episode on Analyst Talk With Jason Elder:   https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-nikki-nichole-north-%c2%a0real-time-crime-analyst/ Name Drops: Related Links: https://nrtcca.org/ https://www.axon.com/products/axon-fusus https://www.napsps.org/ https://www.theiacp.org/resources/document/artificial-intelligence-and-policing https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-releases-report-facial-recognition-technology https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-angie-stroda-from-corporate-world-to-crime-analysis/ Association(s) Mentioned: National Real Time Crime Center Association; National Association of Professional Staff in Public SafetyVendor(s) Mentioned: Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-north-196377239/, nnorth@flaglersheriff.com; nnorth@nrtcca.org   Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/k5j5amjma2pbhhuy/RCATT05_transcript.pdf Podcast Writer: Podcast Researcher: Theme Song: Written and Recorded by The Rough & Tumble. Find more of their music at www.theroughandtumble.com.Logo: Designed by Kyle McMullen. Please visit www.moderntype.com for any printable business forms and planners. Podcast Email: leapodcasts@gmail.com  Podcast Webpage: www.leapodcasts.com  Podcast Twitter: @leapodcasts

Episode: 00280 Released on August 18, 2025 Description: In this episode of Analyst Talk with Jason Elder, Jason reconnects with longtime analyst and entrepreneur Sean Bair to dive into his latest venture, SwornAI. Sean shares how this new platform is tackling the health and wellness crisis in public safety by combining biometric data, CAD records, and artificial intelligence to better support officers and first responders. The conversation also explores Sean’s upcoming book on the role of AI in analysis and education, and what the future holds for analysts navigating the flood of data. With reflections on the 10-year anniversary of selling Bair Analytics, Sean offers candid insights into technology, innovation, and the evolving role of the crime analyst. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking![Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]Name Drops: Howard & Adam Safir (00:03:39), Dan Helms (00:45:08), Mark Dobbs (00:56:36)Public Service Announcements: Andrew Wheeler (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-dr-andrew-wheeler-crime-de-coder/)  Kyle Stoker (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/kyle-stoker-the-training-connoisseur/)  Related Links: https://sworn.ai/ https://www.leapodcasts.com/p/hiring-guide/ https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/sean-bair-%e2%80%93-the-entrepreneur/ https://www.byu.edu/NEW book on Amazon:  https://a.co/d/9hjxMWo Association(s) Mentioned: Vendor(s) Mentioned:Contact:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbair/  Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/kt6ydybkn3behpf2/SwornAISeanBair_Transcript.pdf Podcast Writer: Podcast Researcher: Theme Song: Written and Recorded by The Rough & Tumble. Find more of their music at www.theroughandtumble.com.Logo: Designed by Kyle McMullen. Please visit www.moderntype.com for any printable business forms and planners. Podcast Email: leapodcasts@gmail.com  Podcast Webpage: www.leapodcasts.com  Podcast Twitter: @leapodcasts
00:00:17 – Introducing Sean00:01:31 – Sworn AI00:21:29 – Book 00:34:40 – Break:  Wheeler & Stoker00:35:47 – Students Using AI 00:47:41 – Analysis with AI00:55:06 – Selling Bair Analytics

Analyst Talk - Open Secrets - Don’t Just Trust AI, Always Verify Episode: 00271 Released on June 16, 2025 Description: In this third installment of the Open Secrets series on Analyst Talk with Jason Elder, expert Jan Mondale discusses the evolving intersection of open-source intelligence (OSINT) and artificial intelligence. From personal experiences using AI tools like ChatGPT for medical research to broader implications for law enforcement analysts, Jan and Jason explore the power and pitfalls of integrating large language models into investigative workflows. Jan emphasizes the timeless importance of critical thinking, source validation, and ethical use—whether you're verifying a suspect's address or navigating the risks of misinformation. They also touch on AI's role in cybersecurity, translation, threat detection, and even the risks posed by overly trusting social media.
Key topics include:
Verifying AI-generated information
How OSINT and AI compare in investigative reliability
AI's utility in law enforcement and cyber threat analysis
Why analysts must remain smarter than the tools they use
Whether you're AI-curious or a seasoned OSINT pro, this episode challenges you to think deeper about the tools at your disposal—and how to use them wisely. [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]Related Links: Jan’s Notes:  https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/n6y2qvnkk64sebvt/OpenSecretsOSINTandAIJansNotes.pdfhttps://static.semrush.com/blog/uploads/media/ea/34/ea34afd0390da60dc82700c472f7d527/YIbvIN7lhZP6JJGSQvPgPmD5rSJ5H85yTxW30vNlkkwh952w5VjeLOfFIk2dVpPewO6fGCV5HN05reZF3jNikXjVpepl6xxHHE_RSRRXgnkqNp9bw-cNRn0ztDSy9XSw_a3GY-dIWlkUjpUYRBk8WZo.webp  https://ignitevisibility.com/how-is-bing-seo-different-than-google-seo/ Association(s) Mentioned: Vendor(s) Mentioned: Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janmondale/ Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/8mrsbshuzfvcnmmx/OpenSecrets03_transcript.pdf Podcast Writer: Podcast Researcher: Theme Song: Written and Recorded by The Rough & Tumble. Find more of their music at www.theroughandtumble.com.Logo: Designed by Kyle McMullen. Please visit www.moderntype.com for any printable business forms and planners. Podcast Email: leapodcasts@gmail.com  Podcast Webpage: www.leapodcasts.com  Podcast Twitter: @leapodcasts