Course details: A four day intensive open source practical course aimed at developing delegates’ skills in understanding the Internet, open sources & social media and how to effectively search them for information and intelligence for investigation & security purposes.

10% Discount is available to all current ABI members. (proof may be required)

Topics covered will include:

• Overview of today’s digital world, including what digital devices are capable of, such as geo-location, metadata, digital images etc and how they can leave a digital footprint

• Methods for recording & capturing data within an investigation

• Use of browsers and their purpose & use in open source investigations, including use of add-ons, plug-ins, bookmarks etc

• Exploration of basic & advanced techniques in the use of search engines

• Software tools for open source social media investigations

• Methods for investigating the main social media sites and social media apps

• Drilling down into Facebook and Twitter

• Safety & security - how to protect our identities whilst investigating online sources

• Ethics, safety, privacy and operational issues which may arise when undertaking online investigations

• Security and open source information

• Digital photographs within an investigation

• Use of usernames, email addresses and phone numbers within investigations

• Digital profiling, workflows and connecting intelligence artefacts within investigations

• Government-shared open source data and consented data

• Breached databases within investigations

• Websites & domains

• Linking individuals to home addresses

Class size: Class sizes are restricted to a maximum of 20 delegates per 4 day course.

Requirements: To partake in the course, all delegates must already be able to use a PC and web browser. A basic understanding of social media and smart phones would also be advantageous, but not essential.

Objective: To gain practical skills and knowledge to effectively carry out online investigations in a safe and structured manner.

Pre-course preparation: All delegates will be required to create an email account and some social media passive accounts prior to the event. Details for this will be provided before the course begins.

Facilities: Each delegate may use their own laptop to load and create an investigative platform on or one will be given the use of an Internet-connected PC for the duration of the course and they will be issued with electronic PDF copies of course materials. Beverages and biscuits will be provided during break. Lunch (not Supplied) is availble from numerous local facilities just outside the venue.

Cost: Cost per delegate is £1000 + VAT for 4 days

10% Discount is available to all current ABI members. (proof may be required)

Contact: In event of query then contact +44 7919 111211 or email "digitalvalour[@]gmail.com "

The course will be delivered by

Tony Martinez, is the director of Digital Valour Ltd, a former officer of the National Crime Agency's, National Cyber Crime Unit. He was a member of a unit recognised within law enforcement as a centre of excellence in the field of covert work, gaining a wealth of experience managing some of the most complex cybercrime investigations.

Tony has over 30 years of experience as a detective engaged in murder, kidnapping, robbery and complex fraud investigations utilising these skills he now carries out open source and dark web investigations and monitoring on behalf large and well known organisations internationally.

Tony is experienced in conducting crimional and civil investigations utilising open source material. His work supports the protection of HNWI, the tracing of individuals and assets. He is a full member of the Association of British Investigators and World Association of Detectives.

Tony is a qualified trainer and provides OSINT, Dark Web and source recruitment training to commerical, government, law enforcement and military organisations around the world.

And assisted by

David Benford MSc, who is an internationally renowned open source intelligence expert, specialising in criminal risks derived from social media and emerging technologies. As well as training military, law enforcement, government operatives and corporations in this field, David is an online digital investigator. He is an experienced digital forensic scientist, a published academic and works internationally with organisations such as the European Council, European Commission, NATO, TV companies & talent, as well as military, corporations, intelligence agencies and diplomats. He is a special officer for UK law enforcement in operational security, as well as an associate with the Emergency Planning College which is part of the British Cabinet Office

Cancellations will be refunded 50% if cancelled 14 days or more before the training begins. If cancelled within 13 days or fewer before the event, then delegates will be charged the full amount