Visualising Semantic Pathways in Document Collections

In this paper we discuss our investigation of the potential uses of animation and visualisation techniques for exploring unstructured text-based data. We reflect upon a design methodology that is rooted in art and design practice and introduce a conceptual model for following "semantic pathways" through document collections. We also describe an implementation of a working model of an interactive visualisation. We see potential applications for our conceptual model in domains where there is a requirement to infer narrative from multiple sources of evidence such as in counter-terrorism and criminal investigations.