Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is widely recognised as an effective and efficient investigative methodology for both private investigators and law enforcement alike. For law enforcement, the use of OSINT methodology for investigations can be applied without the immediate need for coercive measures which contributes to the proportionality and subsidiarity of investigations. Meanwhile, the amount of information available in open sources which can be leveraged for nearly every investigation is significant which will enhance the efficiency of the investigation and prosecution of organised crime and corruption cases.
Therefore OSINT, or sometimes also simply called ‘internet research’, is a subject taught widely to law enforcement investigators and many law enforcement agencies have OSINT specialists in their investigative departments.
Proper research skills in open sources are not something that can be taught from a book in a lecture. While some technical background can be internalised by reading/listening, the best way of learning is either in a training on the job or in very practical hands-on courses.
Over the past years, OSINT methodology and training in this field has matured significantly. In most OSINT training the six key tenets (and learning objectives) usually include:
- Understand what the characteristics of the open-source environment are in terms of data quality, legal consequences and operational security;
- Understand how search engines work and how advanced search strategies, including the use of BOOLEAN logic work;
- Known which public registers are available particularly in the jurisdictions of relevance, and be able to search in such registers also outside your jurisdiction;
- Comprehend in which ways individuals can be identified online and be able to recognize and make use of relevant data sources such as social media and breach data;
- Understand what a solid, accountable and proportionate open-source research methodology should look like and be able to apply a methodology that will hold up under scrutiny (in court);
- Be able to recognise how a certain photo or video can be geolocated and apply the relevant methodologies.
EU4Justice project, in cooperation with CEST FBiH and CEST RS, is organising two rounds of online training for judges and prosecutors on “OSINT” in aiming to increase the investigation skills of the prosecutors, judges, members of LEAs and investigators.
The lectures will focus on:
- Search engines, people search;
- Methodology, public registers; and
- Data quality, geolocation.
Due to the specifics of the online training, the training will be organized in two separate rounds, and each round will be implemented through three sessions.
The number of participants will be limited to 12 per round (total for both rounds 24).
Round 1 / Date: 19,20,21 April 2021, from 09.30h – 12.30h
Round 2 / Date : 5, 6, 7 May 2021, from 09.30h – 12.30h
The deadline for applications is April 15, 2021 for both rounds.
Participants will be selected based on the chronological order of the received application. The participant needs to state “Round 1” or Round 2” when submitting their application.
To apply for this training please write to Mr Almir Tabaković, CEST FBIH (almir.tabakovic@cest.gov.ba) or Mr Nikola Mitrović, CEST RS (nikola.mitrovic@rs.cest.gov.ba ). For all other questions, please contact Ms Maja Čvoro, EU4Justice project (maja.cvoro@xpertisefrance.fr) or mobile phone +387 65 337 399.
Reading material:
Solving the MH17 and the Skripal Case: How Bellingcat Demonstrates the Power of OSINT
How Less is More: Advanced Google searching
Photo credit: https://www.euseca.com/course/osint/
