Systems and methods for automated pattern recognition and object detection. The method can be rapidly developed and improved using a minimal number of algorithms for the data content to fully discriminate details in the data, while reducing the need for human analysis. The system includes a data analysis system that recognizes patterns and detects objects in data without requiring adaptation of the system to a particular application, environment, or data content. The system evaluates the data in its native form independent of the form of presentation or the form of the post-processed data.