In some way, every type of criminal investigation involves the internet. Criminal organizations have also been known to facilitate these crimes, by using social media and Open-Source Intelligence in their operations (OSINT). This course is intended to give police officers an in-depth knowledge of how to navigate around all of the major social media networks. The instructor, Nick Jerman, will teach officers how to use the most current Open-Source Intelligence websites and researching techniques. Having this knowledge will save countless hours of trial and error.

This class covers the rise in popularity of social media platforms. Jerman’s course will teach you how to navigate, search and exploit all the major social media networks. Course attendees will learn how to use the most current OSINT websites and searching techniques. “Social Media and Open Source Investigations” will cover lesser-known social media platforms, how to link social media account to your investigative targets, helpful software, and applications that you can use as soon as you leave class, and the ins and outs of preserving data for court as well as writing subpoenas and search warrants for social media data. Jerman will even teach you to extract critical information from the photos that suspects post on their social media accounts!

This innovative course is designed for, and will be beneficial to all ranks of the police agency, from patrol to chief. Officers will be empowered with the ability to quickly and confidently find information on their targets, dig deeper online within their investigations, and keep themselves and their families safe on the internet. Modern issues in politics, policing, and world society drive the evolution of social media at an alarming rate, and Jerman’s class is constantly updated to keep you on top of the rapid changes.

NOTE: Students are encouraged (but not required) to bring a computer as well as a WiFi Hotspot with them to class so they can emulate the techniques being taught as the instructor is going over them.