Abstract: Structured exploration of available data provides insight allowing early detection/analysis of emerging issues. An in-memory database engine applies specialized information sources and filter criteria to an original data set to successively produce various exploration levels. Evidence relating to a particular exploration level (e.g., resulting data subset, metadata indicating chains of information sources/filter criteria) are stored at the user's instruction within an evidence package of the in-memory database. Information sources may be licensed from third parties, and may be present in the in-memory database. To improve computer performance, embodiments may delete results of previous exploration levels outside of the evidence package. Evidence from the evidence package may be displayed to afford insight into relationships between data subsets and an emerging issue. One structured exploration references a source of geographic information (e.g.

Abstract: Structured exploration of available data provides insight allowing early detection/analysis of emerging issues. An in-memory database engine applies specialized information sources and filter criteria to an original data set to successively produce various exploration levels. Evidence relating to a particular exploration level (e.g., resulting data subset, metadata indicating chains of information sources/filter criteria) are stored at the user's instruction within an evidence package of the in-memory database. Information sources may be licensed from third parties, and may be present in the in-memory database. To improve computer performance, embodiments may delete results of previous exploration levels outside of the evidence package. Evidence from the evidence package may be displayed to afford insight into relationships between data subsets and an emerging issue. One structured exploration references a source of geographic information (e.g.