Leverage Open-Source Information in an Investigation
Example of a Homicide Case

A person’s online presence is a critical source of information in modern investigations, with 64% of analysts beginning their casework by searching online for information, according to Cellebrite’s 2025 Industry Trends survey. Conducting investigations without considering a subject’s online presence—spanning various social media platforms—is like working with one arm tied behind your back.

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How open-source information can support every investigation, across every stage.

1.
At the start of an investigation: Looking for motive

Detectives begin by interviewing Joe’s neighbors, family, friends and co-workers, but discover no obvious leads. They then turn their attention to his social media footprint to try and identify motive.

By combing through popular posts, insights and his most common interactors, they find a name that keeps appearing – Don Maxwell becomes their primary suspect.

2.
Developing the subject of interest: Deeper dive into relationships, connections and motive

Detectives retarget their online searches to learn more about the suspect. Reviewing data from LinkedIn, they learn that Maxwell’s employment was recently terminated. They dig further and discover more as they analyze his online activity, friends and connections.

3.
Collaborating and updating stakeholders: Generating comprehensive and transparent reports

Detectives piece together all their online findings and present the findings to prosecutors, which helps to establish probable cause for search warrants.

4.
Lead goes cold: Diving into connections to generate new leads

Maxwell is nowhere to be found and has been careful not to have any online presence since the murder. However, a breakthrough comes when detectives discover a woman, Annie Barton, who regularly interacted with the suspect’s posts, who is still frequently active on social media.

5.
Using connections to progress case: Using other parties’ details to identify suspects.

Unlike the suspect, Annie has no reason to change her social habits and a new location keeps appearing in her online footprint. Detectives believe she will lead them to the suspect and they set up surveillance. With Annie Barton’s unwitting help, they hone in on Maxwell as he attempts to build a new life while living off the grid.

Uncover digital footprints and validate information with open-source data

  • Automated, non-invasive collection of online data
  • Actionable insights from multiple sources
  • Standardized, shareable reports with full source transparency

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