Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) for Law Enforcement

NOTE: Students are required to bring a laptop computer capable of accessing the internet. A mobile hotspot is recommended to ensure reliable internet connectivity during practical exercises.

This course combines classroom instruction with hands-on practical exercises in Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) gathering and analysis. OSINT is the process of collecting, evaluating, and utilizing information that is legally and publicly available to develop actionable intelligence for investigations, threat assessments, and informed decision-making.

Participants will learn how to identify, collect, verify, and analyze information from a variety of publicly accessible sources, including public records, websites, social media platforms, news reports, online forums, and other open-source resources. The course emphasizes lawful and ethical methods of information gathering while demonstrating how open-source data can support criminal investigations, intelligence operations, and public safety missions without reliance on classified or restricted information.

Through guided exercises and real-world scenarios, students will develop practical skills in conducting online investigations, validating information, documenting findings, and transforming publicly available information into usable intelligence products.

Training Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Define Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and explain its role in modern law enforcement investigations, intelligence gathering, and threat assessment.

2. Identify and access publicly available sources of information, including public records, websites, social media platforms, news media, online forums, and other open-source resources.

3. Apply lawful and ethical standards when collecting, documenting, and utilizing open-source information.

4. Conduct systematic online investigations using OSINT methodologies and investigative best practices.

5. Utilize advanced search techniques and search operators to locate relevant information efficiently.

6. Verify and validate information obtained from open sources to assess accuracy, reliability, and credibility.

7. Analyze information collected from multiple sources and identify connections, patterns, and relationships relevant to investigative objectives.

8. Document and preserve open-source information in a manner suitable for investigative and intelligence purposes.

9. Develop actionable intelligence products from publicly available information to support criminal investigations and threat assessments.

10. Demonstrate proficiency in conducting OSINT research through practical exercises and scenario-based investigations.

11. Recognize common challenges, limitations, and risks associated with open-source investigations, including misinformation, disinformation, and privacy concerns.

Integrate OSINT techniques into daily investigative and intelligence operations to enhance decision-making and operational effectiveness.

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Instructor Credentials:

Special Agent William Hough has over 24 years of experience investigating internet crimes, with a primary focus on offenses involving children. He is a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and is assigned to the PROTECT Task Force through the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Special Agent Hough has trained numerous law enforcement officers and prosecutors on utilizing the Internet as an investigative tool and has been qualified as an expert witness in multiple criminal cases. He is also an APOSTC-certified instructor.

Sponsors: This seminar is sponsored by AUM's Alabama Crime Prevention Clearinghouse & Training Institute, the Institute for Criminal Justice Education, Inc., Alabama Peace Officers' Association, U.S. Attorney's Office, MDA, and ADECA Law Enforcement Planning/Traffic Safety Division. This training is funded by an ADECA Law Enforcement Planning subgrant #2026-DJ-02-15 awarded to AUM and its Alabama Crime Prevention Clearinghouse