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The Link Diagram graphically depicts a multitude of linkages between a large number
of entities, be they persons, events, organizations, or almost anything else. A
link diagram can show, in an easy to understand graphical format, all the relevant
information from hundreds of pages of written reports. Link analysis has been used
in a variety of complex investigative efforts including criminal investigations,
terrorism analysis, and medical research.
Link diagrams can show organizations, membership within the organization, subordinate
echelons or sub-sets within the organization, the nature and degree of relationship
(or lack thereof) between persons, organizational subsets, or between major organizations;
between organizations (or individual persons) and governments; participants in specific
or generic activities; or virtually anything else the analyst deems relevant.
The value of determining organizational structures and their internal and external
connectivity cannot be overstated. An organization’s actions are determined by the
individual persons within that organization, and other individuals or organizational
entities with which the leadership or the organization as a whole has ties. For
example, if a criminal or terrorist organization receives support from a sovereign
government, then it can be assumed that the supporting government will have a degree
of influence on that organization’s activities. It is up to the analyst to determine
the nature and degree of that influence. The process is simplified if all relevant
information is graphically displayed in link diagram format.
Automating the link diagramming procedure allows the analyst to view and display
available information in a variety of ways by selectively filtering information
or categories of information, thus allowing a variety of analytical perspectives.
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