OSINT is short for open-sourced intelligence and refers to the use of public records and data to gather and analyze information. Although this information is available to the general public, it requires a certain expertise and skill to know where to find it, what to look out for and how to interpret it. OSINT is not used exclusively by private investigators – today, journalists, law enforcement officers and researchers make use of it to derive valuable insights as well. When it comes to private investigations, OSINT can help to paint a full picture of a person’s life as it relates to a particular circumstance.
What Is Considered OSINT?
Although no licensing is required to obtain access to OSINT, it often requires vast knowledge and experience in the field when it comes to knowing where to look. Common sources of OSINT include:
- Social media platforms
- Published broadcasting and journalism which can include newspaper articles, podcasts, television broadcasts and audio recordings
- Public records such as marriage and divorce records and census data
- Government websites and documents
- Information that can be assessed on the Internet such as blog posts, recordings and more, including those on the Dark Web
- Company reports and employee records
- Publications in journals, magazines etc
- … and many more!
What Can OSINT Be Used for?
OSINT can be used to solve a myriad of cases, from locating a missing person to uncovering an affair. Living in the 21st century, it may feel like we have all the information we need at our fingertips, but sources such as Google and social media accounts are only a small part of the puzzle. When information obtained through OSINT is considered carefully with what most people can easily find online, the missing piece to the puzzle can be found. Although this information is available to the public, the average citizen may not know where to go about looking for the data they need or how to interpret it in a way that makes sense. This is where private investigators come in.
Making use of their knowledge and expertise to research, analyze, verify and connect multiple sources of information, private investigators are able to uncover the truth you are looking for. Some people may confuse public searches with free record searches. There is a notable difference between them: public records come directly from the source itself whereas free record searches produce results through a third-party algorithm, which can result in inaccurate or false information.
Hire Your Private Investigator at Probity Investigations
Do you suspect that your spouse is having an affair and are considering hiring a private investigator to get to the bottom of it? If so, look no further than Probity Investigations. We understand the distress that can come with such a scenario and will handle your case with the highest level of professionalism and sensitivity.
At Probity Investigations, we have a team of specialists who are experts at solving infidelity cases. We have helped many get the closure they need and will be able to help you too. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
