The OSINT Newsletter - May 2023 OSINT Review
An overview of research in open source intelligence from May 2023
Welcome to the latest issue of The OSINT Newsletter, where we delve into the remarkable world of open-source intelligence.
This issue looks at several OSINT-related publications ranging from visual investigations, geolocation, chronolocation, and international issues.
We also look at several useful pieces of content published on OSINT Twitter, including some research of my own alongside others in the community.
Finally, we look at OSINT resources that will help you level up your game. From new Python libraries to OPSEC enhancements and more email investigation methods.
Remember OSINT != tools. Tools help you plan and collect data, but the end result of that tool is not OSINT. You have to analyze, receive feedback, refine, and produce a final, actionable product of value before you can call it intelligence.
OSINT Reads
What happened when US police teargassed protesters – a visual investigation
Forensic Architecture (FA) has conducted a thorough investigation into the effects of tear gas deployed by police during the June 2020 Portland protests, creating a 3D simulation using videos, internal police files, invoice records, and tear gas canister photos.
Italian historian claims to have identified bridge in Mona Lisa backdrop
Italian historian Silvano Vinceti believes he has identified the Romito di Laterina bridge in Tuscany as the one depicted in the background of Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, the Mona Lisa. Historical documents, drone images, and comparisons between the painting and photographs of the area support his claim.
New guide on investigating and mapping perpetrators in open-source investigations
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and the Human Rights Center (HRC) have developed "Investigating Perpetrators," a guide offering practical advice for investigators mapping potential human rights violators using open-source data.
Giant barge to house hundreds of asylum seekers set to arrive in UK - here's its journey
Sky News' Data and Forensics unit has tracked the controversial Bibby Stockholm, a floating barge designed to house around 500 male asylum seekers, as it approaches the UK from Genoa Port in Italy using satellite imagery and marine tracking data.
OSINT Twitter
Discover GhostTrack, an open-source tool for IP addresses and phone numbers.
Explore LeakIX, a search engine for exposed databases and misconfigurations.
Find out about using creative methods for targeting specific information in auth APIs.
Check out gephi-lite, a lightweight browser-based version of gephi.
This is the end of the free subscription to The OSINT Newsletter. To see practical applications of OSINT tactics and techniques, please consider supporting this publication with a paid subscription.
This issue looks at improving web scraping using an experimental Python library, improving OPSEC with opt-out email integration, verifying email registration on a political website, and improving reverse image search results.
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