OPERATIONAL USE OF OSINT IN THE INVESTIGATION OF ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS
OPERATIONAL USE OF OSINT IN THE INVESTIGATION OF ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS

Summary/Abstract: Organized criminal groups (OCGs) represent a significant threat to national and international security, requiring adaptive and innovative approaches in their investigation. This paper examines the role of OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) as a key method of collecting and analyzing data from publicly available sources in the context of the fight against the aforementioned actors. OSINT enables efficient collection of information about OKG members, their activities and networks without physically going out into the field, thereby minimizing operational risks. Using social networks, digital forensics data and other open sources, investigators can monitor communications, geolocate actors and analyze the behavior patterns of criminal groups. Through a hypothetical example, the paper points to the importance of OSINT in making operational decisions faster and developing strategies to neutralize criminal activities. The aim of the research is to develop an operational model for the application of OSINT in cases of organized crime, while highlighting its advantages and challenges. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of improving the skills of investigators in the use of OSINT tools, as well as the need for a clear framework for use.

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