Table of Investigation Types and OSINT Uses
| Investigation Type | How OSINT Helps |
|---|---|
| Locating Missing Persons | Tracing digital footprints through social media, public directories, and online databases. |
| Online Brand Protection | Detecting counterfeit products, fake listings, and trademark misuse across platforms. |
| Fraud and Financial Crime Investigations | Tracking fraudulent networks, investment scams, and financial misconduct via open sources. |
| Employment Background Checks | Verifying employment history, education claims, and public reputation through open records. |
| Organised Crime Network Mapping | Identifying relationships between individuals and mapping assets and communications online. |
| Cybercrime and Threat Monitoring | Discovering cyber threats, phishing schemes, and dark web activities before they escalate. |
| Extremism and Protest Monitoring | Monitoring open-source discussions, groups, and event planning to assess risk. |
| Asset Tracing (Personal/Corporate) | Finding properties, vehicles, businesses, and online assets linked to persons of interest. |
| Litigation Support | Recovering archived web pages, deleted content, and open records to assist legal cases. |
| Reputation Management and Risk Monitoring | Tracking mentions of individuals and companies across media, blogs, and forums. |
OSINT Investigation Flow Diagram
Investigation Example: Locating a Missing Person
Scenario:
A family contacted Opsimathy after losing contact with an adult relative believed to be vulnerable.
OSINT Approach:
- Searched publicly available social media profiles for recent activity.
- Checked online directories and property databases for current addresses.
- Used people search tools to find associated email addresses and phone numbers.
- Cross-referenced connections via Facebook friends and LinkedIn contacts.
- Analysed online forum posts and public transport CCTV appeals.
Result:
Located the missing person within 48 hours by identifying a recent online purchase posted on Instagram, confirming their likely location. Information was passed to law enforcement for a safe welfare check and successful recovery.
Key OSINT Tools Used:
- Instagram geotag search
- Public phone directory search
- WHOIS domain lookup
- Wayback Machine for forum posts
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