This course is designed to provide the students with a comprehensive understanding of Open-Source (OSINT) investigations.  Students will learn what OSINT is and how it can be used for various investigations, such as background investigations, criminal investigations, and intelligence gathering for potential threats.  They will learn how OSINT differs from the traditional sources that are proprietary to law enforcement.  Students will learn the laws; state, federal, and international laws/policies that apply to the use of OSINT and potential risks and legal repercussions associated with using OSINT if abused or misused.

Students will learn the different sources where public information can be obtained from physically visiting a location, such as a courthouse or college, to the utilization of the Internet.  They will learn the need for source and information validation and how OSINT investigations can help locate witnesses, suspects, and potentially place a suspect at a location using reverse image searches and metadata geotagging.  This course will involve practical, hands-on on learning for a higher retention rate and understanding of newly learned and refined skills.