Training

Professional Training in Open-Source Intelligence

Training Philosophy

The training programmes delivered by Inquiro Intelligence are designed to develop professional investigative capability rather than simply demonstrate technical tools.

Participants learn how to apply structured investigative methodology when working with open-source information, enabling them to identify reliable intelligence within complex digital environments.

All programmes are grounded in the principles of the Inquiro Intelligence Model and focus on the development of investigative thinking, verification discipline, and analytical reasoning.

The aim is to ensure that practitioners can conduct open-source investigations in a way that is transparent, defensible, and capable of supporting real-world decision-making.

 Training programmes focus on:

  • investigative methodology

  • verification and source reliability

  • analytical reasoning

  • professional documentation

  • responsible use of open-source information

The aim is to develop practitioners who can transform publicly available information into reliable, defensible intelligence.

Training Pathway

The Inquiro Intelligence training programme consists of four progressive courses.

Each course builds upon the previous stage, allowing participants to develop from foundational understanding through to advanced investigative capability and leadership of OSINT teams.

  • Foundations of OSINT Investigations

  • Assessing and Challenging OSINT Investigations

  • Advanced OSINT Investigations

  • Managing OSINT Investigations and Teams

Foundations of OSINT Investigations

Building Professional Investigative Capability

This course introduces the principles, tools, and investigative thinking required to conduct professional open-source investigations. Participants develop an understanding of how the modern information environment operates and how structured investigative methodology can be applied when identifying and interpreting online information.

Who This Programme Is For

The Foundations of OSINT Investigations programme is designed for professionals who require the ability to conduct structured open-source investigations within a professional or organisational context.

The course is particularly relevant for:

  • investigators and intelligence practitioners

  • regulatory personnel

  • corporate investigators and risk professionals

  • journalists and researchers conducting investigative work

  • analysts responsible for assessing digital information

  • organisations seeking to develop internal OSINT capability

The programme assumes no prior specialist OSINT training but is designed for individuals working in roles where the ability to locate, verify, and interpret open-source information is operationally important.

For this reason, the course places particular emphasis on investigative methodology, evidential integrity, and analytical reasoning, rather than simply demonstrating tools.

Key areas explored during the course include:

  • the development and role of open-source intelligence in modern investigations

  • understanding how information is structured and published on the internet

  • maintaining investigative records and evidential integrity

  • conducting investigations across social media platforms

  • identifying and analysing images and video

  • geolocation techniques

  • reverse image searching

  • recognising manipulated and synthetic media, including deepfakes

  • advanced search techniques and exploitation of search engines

  • the use and evaluation of OSINT tools

  • operational security considerations when conducting online research

  • creation and management of investigative personas

The programme is intentionally delivered to small cohorts to encourage discussion, practical investigation, and the exchange of professional experience.

By the end of the course, participants will understand how to conduct open-source investigations using structured investigative methodology rather than relying solely on tools.

Assessing and Challenging OSINT Investigations

Evaluating the Reliability of Open-Source Intelligence

Open-source intelligence is increasingly used in investigative, legal, and journalistic contexts. However, poorly conducted OSINT investigations may contain significant methodological weaknesses. This course focuses on identifying those weaknesses and assessing the reliability of open-source investigations conducted by others.

Participants learn how to critically evaluate investigative methods, identify gaps in research, and challenge conclusions that are not supported by evidence.

 

Key areas explored during the course include:

  • identifying weaknesses in OSINT investigations

  • recognising common analytical errors and confirmation bias

  • auditing investigative processes

  • assessing the reliability of digital evidence

  • identifying contextual errors and misinterpretation

  • evaluating evidential strength and analytical reasoning

  • understanding legislation relevant to digital investigations

  • NPCC and APCO principles relating to digital information

 

This course is particularly valuable for professionals who must assess, challenge, or rely upon open-source investigations, including legal practitioners, investigators, regulators, and journalists.

Advanced OSINT Investigations

Conducting Complex Open-Source Investigations

This course develops advanced investigative capability for practitioners who already possess a strong understanding of open-source intelligence techniques. Participants explore more complex investigative environments and develop the ability to integrate multiple investigative techniques within structured investigations.

 

Key areas explored during the course include:

  • investigating alternative and emerging social media platforms

  • conducting research within dark web environments

  • identifying intelligence opportunities within exfiltrated datasets

  • understanding the structure and context of data leaks

  • determining the time and context of images

  • advanced investigative workflows

  • integrating multiple investigative techniques within a single investigation

 

The course focuses on applying investigative methodology in complex environments where information may be incomplete, misleading, or deliberately manipulated.

Managing OSINT Investigations and Teams

Leadership, Workload Management, and Practitioner Welfare

As organisations increasingly rely on open-source intelligence, many are developing dedicated teams responsible for conducting online investigations.

Managing OSINT investigations presents unique challenges. Investigative work often involves continuous engagement with online information environments that can blur the boundary between professional research and everyday digital activity.

This course focuses on the leadership and management skills required to oversee OSINT investigations and support the wellbeing of practitioners working in this field.

Key areas explored during the course include:

  • structuring and managing OSINT investigations

  • managing expectations of stakeholders and decision-makers

  • maintaining investigative standards across teams

  • implementing structured investigative methodology

  • supporting analysts working with sensitive or challenging material

  • recognising the welfare impacts of prolonged exposure to online information environments

  • maintaining professional boundaries between investigative activity and personal online use

  • developing resilient and sustainable investigative teams

  • defining investigative requirements and tasking structures

  • allocating investigative workloads within OSINT teams

  • prioritising competing intelligence requirements

  • structuring investigative outputs for decision-makers

The course emphasises the importance of leadership, professional standards, and practitioner welfare when managing open-source intelligence teams.

Tailored Training for Organisations

Training programmes delivered by Inquiro Intelligence can be adapted to meet the specific needs of organisations and investigative teams.

Core programmes are delivered in person, allowing participants to engage fully with practical investigative exercises and structured discussion.

Selected specialist courses may also be delivered through live online instruction where appropriate.

Training may also be delivered as closed programmes for individual organisations, allowing participants to explore investigative methodology within their own operational context.

Applying the Inquiro Intelligence Model

All training programmes delivered by Inquiro Intelligence are grounded in the principles of the Inquiro Intelligence Model.

 Participants learn how to apply structured investigative methodology across every stage of the open-source investigation process, ensuring that intelligence produced from publicly available information is reliable, transparent, and defensible.

Beyond Training

For many organisations, professional training represents the first step in developing effective open-source investigative capability. As teams begin applying structured methodology within operational environments, more complex investigative or analytical challenges may emerge that require specialist advice or independent analytical support.

Inquiro Intelligence therefore also provides consultancy services for organisations requiring expert assistance with complex open-source investigations, investigative methodology development, or independent review of existing OSINT work.

Further information about consultancy services can be found in the Consultancy section.