Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC3128: Introduction to Open-source Intelligence (OSINT)

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims to introduce you to the techniques used in Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) investigations, and in doing so, has two broad aims. The first is to develop your understanding of the theoretical aspects of OSINT, such as where it fits in relation to contemporary law enforcement investigative practice, the various ethical and legal considerations that must be considered when using these methods, as well as their role in academic research in areas such as online communities and extremism. The second involves introducing you to some of the basic techniques and skills used by a range of organisations when conducting OSINT investigations. These skills will be taught to you via practical sessions, and will cover such things as researching the origins of an image, geolocating specific events, and analysing data gained from these techniques. In learning these skills, you will realise that, so long as you are systematic in your approach, it is actually relatively easy to use these methods to conduct OSINT investigations using freely accessible tools that you might already be familiar with, such as Google reverse image search.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. demonstrate a high level of understanding of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques, their applications, and their role within contemporary law enforcement and research 2. Show a good level of confidence in using OSINT investigative tools and critically assessing the data gained from them 3. Demonstrate a high level of computer literacy as it pertains to contemporary research methods, particularly OSINT work, and law enforcement
Discipline-Specific Skills	4. Critically reflect on the role and impact of OSINT within the wider context of the changes to investigative practice in law enforcement and research as a result of an increasingly digital society 5. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the evolutionary arms race between new methods for committing crime and crime detection and investigation methods 6. Critically evaluate the ethical considerations of using OSINT methods in law enforcement and research
Personal and Key Skills	7. Demonstrate ability to work as part of a group on a joint project 8. Demonstrate written analytical skills by producing an essay and technical report to a deadline 9. Demonstrate the ability to present group-based work in a professional manner

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year-to-year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes:

Introduction: What is Open-source intelligence? What is its role in contemporary law enforcement investigations? Preparing your computer for OSINT work.
OSINT methodology and workflow, documentation, and ethics
Search engines and online communities
Social media part 1
Social media part 2
Email, usernames, telephone numbers, and search engines
Online maps, geolocation, and documents
Images and videos
Domain names and IP addresses
Government and business records and virtual currencies
Data breaches and leaks
Wrap-up revision, and the future of OSINT

The teaching sessions for this module will take the form of weekly two hour long practical sessions, whereby the students will have short lectures from the module convener on the above subjects accompanied by practical exercises.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
30	120	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	22	11 x two hour taught practical sessions
Guided independent studies	36	Course readings and other multi-media content
Guided independent study	25	Reading/research for essay
Guided independent study	59	Group work/research for technical report

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).