1. A method for auditing video analytics data through review of selective subsets of visual images, the method comprising: generating a visual essence subset of images via a programmable device from a visual image stream as a function of a temporal relationship of each of the visual essence subset images to a triggering alert event, the visual essence subset of images comprising an image contemporaneous with the triggering alert event and at least one other image occurring before or after the contemporaneous image; presenting the generated visual essence for review to determine whether the triggering alert event is a true or false alert, or whether additional data from the visual image stream is required to determine whether the alert event is true or false; and presenting the additional data from the visual image stream for review if determined from the presented visual essence that the additional data is required to determine whether the alert event is true or false.