OSINT notes, guides and field lessons.

Practical thinking on open-source intelligence, investigation methods and public-source research.

Building an Intelligence Collection Plan

No two internet investigations are the same. A corporate due diligence investigation requires different information from an executive protection assessment. A missing person enquiry

Collection Planning

A common mistake made by OSINT practitioners is collecting information before deciding what information is actually needed. Social media, news articles, public records, commercial

Understanding Intelligence Requirements

Every intelligence product begins with a question. It might be a detective asking who is responsible for a series of burglaries, a corporate security

Structured Analytical Techniques for Stronger Intelligence Assessments

One of the biggest misconceptions about intelligence analysis is that it is simply a matter of experience. With enough years working investigations, you'

Evaluating Information Sources

Every intelligence assessment is only as reliable as the information on which it is based. No amount of analytical skill can compensate for poor-

Cognitive Bias in Intelligence Assessments

The greatest threat to good intelligence analysis is often the way we interpret the information we have collected. Intelligence analysts are required to make

The Intelligence Process

Whether supporting a criminal investigation, conducting due diligence on a company, researching geopolitical developments, or assessing insider threats, every intelligence product begins in the

The History of OSINT

Today, OSINT is one of the fastest-growing disciplines in investigations. Law enforcement agencies use it to identify suspects, financial institutions rely on it

What Is OSINT? Understanding Open-Source Intelligence

If you've spent any time around investigators, journalists, law enforcement or corporate security teams, you've almost certainly come across the