Investigator notifications and unread badges
Notifications and unread badges across the Investigator dashboard tell you where new activity has happened so you can move on it without checking every tab manually.
Notifications and unread badges across the Investigator dashboard tell you where new activity has happened so you can move on it without checking every tab manually. This article explains where the badges appear, what they count, and how to keep your dashboard from drowning in noise.
Where badges appear
You will see unread indicators in three main places.
- Top navigation. A small numeric badge sits near the navigation icon for areas that have new activity, such as Messages or Notifications.
- Cases list. Each Case row shows a dot or count when there is unread activity on that Case — a new comment, a new Evidence upload, a Client message, or an Operation change.
- Inside a Case. Tabs such as Messages, Operations, and Notes show their own indicators so you know which tab to open first.
What counts as unread
Unread is per-account. The platform tracks the last time you viewed each surface and increments the badge whenever a relevant new event happens after that timestamp. Examples include a Client posting a message in chat, a teammate uploading new Evidence, an Operation status change, or a new comment on an Operation you are following. Badges clear when you open the surface that produced them.
Notification channels
In addition to in-app badges, you can receive email notifications and, where supported, browser notifications. These are configured under Investigator settings overview. Email notifications include deep links that take you straight to the relevant Case or Operation after you sign in.
Messages versus general activity
Messages are powered by Stream Chat, which maintains its own unread state per channel. The badge on the Messages icon reflects the sum of unread channels for your account. If chat ever stops connecting, follow Troubleshooting failed chat connections to restore the badge state.
Reviews and reputation
New verified reviews on your public profile produce notifications too. The badge appears in the top navigation and on your profile widget. Read How reviews work on profiles and in the dashboard for moderation rules and dispute steps.
Keeping the noise manageable
- Open Cases that show a badge before lunch and again at end of day — that cadence is usually enough to stay current without checking constantly.
- Mute notifications for Cases that are in a passive phase, such as awaiting a court date.
If a badge looks stuck
Open the affected surface fully — clicking partway into a list does not always mark items read. If a badge persists after a refresh, sign out and sign back in. Persistent stale badges should be reported through Contact form reasons and what to include.
Related in For Investigators
Adding Persons of Interest (POIs / Subjects)
A Subject, also called a Person of Interest or POI, is a person an investigation is about. They are not a Client and they are not a Case Member.
AI assistance inside Report Writer
Report Writer includes optional AI assistance designed to speed up the boring parts of writing without taking the writing out of your hands.
Assigning Operators to Operations
An Operator is the person who is going to do the work on an Operation. On a solo case the Operator is almost always you. On a team or subcontracted case, the Operator field is how you say who is in the field, who is at the desk, and who is on call.
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