Data Query with Whooster Data

Whooster Case Number

The Whooster Case ID is designed to unify all your searches through the OWL Link Analysis algorithm, enabling efficient connection of investigative attributes and saving time in uncovering relationships. Please note, this ID does not correspond to any official case number unless you choose to assign it that way. For each investigation, a new Whooster Case ID should be created to ensure your searches are properly grouped.

Instructions: 

1. Case Number Requirement: 
   When performing a Whooster product search via OWL, entering a case number is mandatory for all Whooster Edition users before initiating the search. 
2. Types of Case Numbers: 
   You can use either an actual case number associated with your current work or a temporary one. To simplify this process, OWL automatically suggests a unique temporary case number based on your name and the system date. 
   Example: TEMP20251118-JDOE-A
3. Auto-Selection of Previous Case: 
   The case number used in your last search will be automatically selected for your next search. This ensures continuity and helps include new queries under the same case. However, you can always enter a different case number, if needed. 
4. Accessing Recent Case Numbers: 
   The “Whooster Case ID” field displays the five most recently used case numbers, making it easy to reuse them. Alternatively, you can locate previously used case numbers by checking the Data Query Logs.

Whooster Datasource Search

The Whooster Data Product is part of the Datasource search category. It encompasses all available Whooster products across various categories. You can choose any product from the list, and, on its dedicated search page, enter the appropriate combination of search variables into the corresponding fields to begin your query. 

Please note that searches can only be conducted for one product at a time. Simultaneous searches across multiple products are not supported in this type of search. (See Keyword searches below.) 

Steps to perform Datasource Searches: 

1. Sign in to your Whooster Edition account using valid credentials. Upon successful login, you'll be directed to the OWL dashboard. 
2. On the OWL dashboard, you'll see a default display of all Whooster products currently available for your use. 
3. These products are grouped by category and presented as clickable chips for easy navigation.
4. For instance, items such as Person, SSN Verification, and Death Record will appear under the "Person" category, while all phone-related products will be grouped under the "Phone" category. 
5. Selecting any product will navigate you to the OWL product search page. 
6. On this page, you'll find both required and optional input fields specific to the selected product. 
   
7. Enter the appropriate search parameters into each of these fields before proceeding. 
8. Under the "Select View Option," choose the desired formats for viewing the search results. By default, the “Tabular-Report View” will be selected. At this time, you can choose only one view to launch the search results.
9.  Specify Whooster compliance by selecting the relevant options under the GLBA and DPPA compliance sections. 
10. Enter a case number in the "Whooster Case ID" field to associate your search with a specific case. Alternatively, you may use the auto-suggested case number provided by OWL.
11. After completing all the above steps, click the "Search" button to begin your query. 

12. You will be redirected to the OWL result screen page. Wait for the search to be completed. Once the search is completed, you will see the complete Whooster product response inside the views you selected during the search.

    Tabular-Report View:

    

    Link Analysis View:
    

Keyword Search

Keyword search is a dynamic process that enables users to initiate powerful queries using simple inputs such as names, addresses, phone numbers, or other identifiers. In OWL, this process is enhanced by intelligent parsing and categorization: 

• Automated Analysis: When a keyword is entered, OWL automatically analyzes the input and breaks it down into structured search variables. 
• Global Mapping: These variables are mapped to predefined global categories, ensuring consistency and relevance across search operations. 
• Product Discovery: Based on the extracted attributes, OWL identifies all compatible Whooster products that can be queried simultaneously. 
• User Control: Users retain full control over the search configuration—they can modify existing attributes, adjust values, or add new variables to refine the search.
• Multi-Product Search: With flexible criteria in place, users can launch multiple product searches concurrently, streamlining investigations and accelerating insights. 

This approach transforms raw keyword input into actionable intelligence, making OWL a robust tool for investigative search and data correlation. 

Steps to perform a keyword search: 

1. Sign in to your Whooster Edition account using valid credentials. Upon successful login, you'll be directed to the OWL dashboard. 
2. On the OWL dashboard, you'll see a default display of all Whooster products currently available for your use. 

3. There are two ways to go to the keyword search page. 

   o From the header Query Data → Keyword Search. First, you will be redirected to the keyword page, then you need to enter keywords to search.

   o From the Dashboard Page → Keyword Search Field. Here, you need to enter the keyword first, then click Search to go to the keyword search page.

4. Enter Keyword: On the Dashboard page, type your keyword (e.g., name, address, phone number) into the keyword field and click the Search button. 
5. Automatic Parsing: You’ll be taken to the Keyword Search page, where OWL automatically splits the keyword and maps it to predefined attributes based on category. 
6. Product Suggestions: OWL will then suggest all relevant Whooster products that can be searched using these attributes. 
7. Update Keyword: To change the keyword, simply enter a new one in the keyword field and click Search again. OWL will reset the attributes and update the list of Whooster products accordingly.
8. Customize Attributes: You can add new search attributes or edit the existing ones to fine-tune your search criteria. 
9. Choose Products: From the list of available Whooster products, select the ones you want to include in your search.
10. Under the "Select View Option," choose the desired formats for viewing the search results. By default "Tabular Report View" is pre-selected. 
    
11. Specify Whooster compliance by selecting the relevant options under the GLBA and DPPA compliance sections. 
12. Enter a case number in the "Whooster Case ID" field to associate your search with a specific case. Alternatively, you may use the auto-suggested case number provided by OWL. 
13. After completing all the above steps, click the "Search" button to begin your query. 
14. You will be redirected to the OWL result screen page. Wait for the search to be completed. Once the search is completed, you will see the full Whooster product response inside the views you selected during the search.

Geospatial Search (Neighborhood Canvas)

Geospatial Search (Neighborhood Canvas) is a feature within the OWL Intelligence Platform that enables users to perform location-based investigations. It provides an interactive map interface where users can: 

• Search for entities (like people, vehicles, or businesses) based on their geographic location 
• Visualize spatial relationships between data points 
• Draw custom boundaries (polygons or radii) to define a “neighborhood” or area of interest 

Key Features

• Interactive Map Canvas: Users can pan, zoom, and draw directly on the map to define search areas.
• Custom Geofencing: Create circular or polygonal zones to isolate specific regions for investigation. 
• Layered Data Visualization: Overlay multiple data types (e.g., addresses, phone numbers, license plates) to see how they relate spatially. 
• Proximity Analysis: Identify entities that are within a certain distance of a location or each other. 
• Temporal Filtering: Combine location data with time filters to track movement or presence over time.

By combining geospatial intelligence with traditional data points, Neighborhoods Canvas enables users to uncover hidden patterns, relationships, and anomalies that may not be apparent in tabular data alone. 

Steps to initiate Geospatial or Neighbor Canvas Search: 

1. Log in to the OWL application. 
2. Navigate to Query Data in the top menu. 
3. Select Geospatial from the dropdown. 
4. You’ll be taken to the Geospatial Search page. 
5. For faster access, use the Geospatial Search Address field on the OWL Dashboard. 
6. Begin typing an address; OWL will auto-suggest locations based on the geo map. 
7. Choose the correct address and click Search. You’ll be redirected to the map with the address pinned. You can also use latitude and longitude coordinates. 
8. If you access Geospatial Search via Query Data, enter the address in the top-right field or click directly on the map to select a location. 
9. For best results, input the full address including zip code. 
10. Once the location is marked, you can either run a search for that address or select nearby ones by clicking on the map. 
11.  Each selected location will appear in the Address Selected on Map list in the bottom-right corner.
12. After selecting addresses, the Next button will become active.
13. Click Next to proceed to the Geospatial Product Search page, where you’ll see all selected addresses and available Whooster products. 
14. Choose the products you want to query. 
15. Under Select View Option, pick your preferred result formats. By default, Link Analysis and Tabular Report View are selected. 
16. Set compliance preferences under GLBA and DPPA sections. 
17. Enter a Whooster Case ID to link your search to a case, or use the auto-suggested ID.
18. Click Search to initiate the query. 
19. You’ll be directed to the OWL results screen. Once the search is completed, results will be displayed in the formats you selected.

Pivot (Spyglass) Search

Pivot Search (also referred to as Spyglass Search) enables investigators to initiate additional searches directly from the results of an existing search within a case. Instead of creating a new search manually, users can leverage existing identity information to discover related records, establish relationships, and expand an investigation.

To improve the user experience, Pivot Searches now execute asynchronous (background) searches. The search runs without blocking the interface, allowing investigators to continue working while the search is processed. Once completed, the system notifies the user that the results are ready to view.

Background Pivot Search

When a Pivot Search is initiated, the search request is submitted to the server and processed in the background.

During this time:

• The current Search Results page remains fully accessible. 
• Users can continue reviewing records, navigating between views, or performing other supported actions. 
• The interface is not blocked by loading overlays or modal dialogs. 
• A notification indicates that the Pivot Search has started. 
• Once processing is complete, another notification informs the user that the search results are available. 
• Selecting View Results loads the completed Pivot Search results without requiring the user to manually refresh the page. 

This asynchronous approach allows investigators to continue their work without interruption while large or complex searches complete.

Key Benefits

• Executes Pivot Searches without blocking the user interface. 
• Allows investigators to continue working while searches run. 
• Provides real-time notifications when searches start and complete. 
• Improves productivity during long-running searches. 
• Preserves the relationship between the original search and the newly generated Pivot Search. 
• Supports continued visualization through Link Analysis.

How to Perform a Pivot Search:

1. From the Result Screen, navigate to an existing search within the case (for example, a previously executed Person search).
2. The search results display multiple identities originating from a Query node.
3. Switch to the Link Analysis View and locate the identity node from which you want to perform a pivot search.
4. Click on the desired identity node.
5. A contextual menu appears, displaying a Spyglass icon.
6. Click the Spyglass icon to view the complete menu of available search options. 
   
7. The menu contains two sections:
   • Additional Searches: These are standard person searches. Selecting these options immediately executes a person search using the selected criteria.
   • Pivot Searches: These options allow you to perform Whooster product searches based on the available criteria.
8. Select a pivot search option to open the Select Products to Search popup.
9. From the pop-up, choose one or more available Whooster products.
10. Click the Search button to initiate the pivot search.
11. A loading indicator appears while the search is in progress.
12. Once completed, the pivot search results are displayed on the screen and linked back to the originating identity node with a relationship line. 
    
13. Pivot searches can also be initiated from the Tabular View. 
    
14. Pivot options are available at multiple hierarchical levels, including:
    • Identity Node - Child nodes of the Datasource Nodes, Identity Nodes contain individual entity records—such as people or organizations—retrieved from the respective Whooster product. They are grouped based on the Datasource they originate from.
    • Wrapper Node - These nodes represent detailed attributes associated with an identity, such as SSNs, alternate phone numbers, relatives, and addresses. Each Wrapper Node is linked to its corresponding Identity Node.
    • Child Node - Child Nodes are the most granular level in the hierarchy. They encapsulate sub-details or metadata related to each Wrapper Node, effectively serving as the grandchild nodes in the structure.   

What Happens After Clicking Pivot/Spyglass Search