Disclosed are data gathering and analysis systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media to facilitate an investigation process. The method includes accessing a data object representing an investigative issue as part of initiating an investigative session. The method further includes causing presentation, on a display of a device, of a user interface configured to receive user search queries and present search results for each received search query. The method further includes tracking user activity including one or more user actions performed during the investigative session. The method further includes creating a record of the user activity, and linking the record of the user activity with the data object representing the investigative issue.