Social Media and Open Source Investigations: Leveraging Information to Solve More Investigations

Please note: This training can be found on our Benchmark Learning Management System. To register, create your account or log in here, then either search for your desired training under “Available Training” or return to this page and click "Register" below to be taken directly to the event page. For more information or help, please refer to this page. 

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce “Social Media and Open Source Investigations: Leveraging Information to Solve More Investigations” training presented by In Charge Consulting.

Description:

Digital data as evidence in investigations is well established and set to play an increasingly significant role in the future. A lack of understanding of the types of readily available digital data and what to do with it once you’ve acquired it from the various providers can result in a tremendous amount of value-rich information being left undiscovered – information that can inevitably make or break cases.

This two-day course is designed to teach analysts and investigators how to legally use open-source and social media intelligence in their respective roles. Digital data plays a vital role in making informed decisions in criminal investigations. Attendees will learn how to conduct covert online investigations using advanced search techniques, supported by relevant and current case studies that reinforce the unconventional methods taught in the course. They will also review the most recent case law that authorizes the use of these techniques in their investigations.

Attendees will learn what digital data is available, why the specific data is valuable, what data to seek based on case particulars, and how to write court orders and/or search warrants to obtain the data successfully. They will be shown how to correctly manage the data received for posterity and discovery requirements and how to exploit the data received for actionable leads and intelligence, leaving the training equipped with knowledge and skills, positioning them to better leverage this data in investigations. 

Those who have used the techniques provided in this training have achieved more significant case closure and greater solvability. Attendees will experience a substantial decrease in time spent identifying, acquiring, and analyzing digital data, generating more actionable leads, experiencing higher conviction rates, achieving more significant plea dealings, and, relatedly, greater overall job satisfaction.

Who should attend:

This training is open to sworn law enforcement officers and civilian law enforcement analysts.

Partial In-service Credit:

Partial In-service Credit (PIC) for Virginia law enforcement officers will be available.

Travel, Lodging, and Meals:

Participants are responsible for transportation, meals, lodging arrangements, and related expenses.

Training Time and Details:

Check-in will begin at 7:30 am

Training begins at 8:00 am and concludes at 5:00 pm each day.

Cost and Registration:

There is no cost to attend this training; however, pre-registration is required.

Please note that the DCJS registration system does not have the capacity to sort eligible from ineligible registrants. Therefore, anyone who registers will receive a confirmation. It is the responsibility of the DCJS-assigned course coordinator to review the roster and make a final determination on acceptance into the course. Denied registrants will be notified via the email address provided during registration.