Social Media OSINT:
Workflow for Investigators
Systematic digital investigation framework for high-stakes decision makers.
Phase 1: Planning & Targeting
Determine identity, narratives, and risks. Select relevant platforms based on the target audience.
Decide on real-time monitoring (live events) vs. historical reconstruction (long-term patterns).
Phase 2: Data Collection
Systematic analysis based on platform typology.
Microblogging
Analysis of authenticity, influence, and information dissemination (hashtags).
X (Twitter), ThreadsSocial Networks
Collection of identity data, relationships, and groups from public profiles.
FacebookProfessional
Validate professional history, skills, and organizational connections.
LinkedIn, XingLong-form Video
Utilize metadata and comments to understand ideological clusters.
YouTube, RumbleChat & Server
Mapping of closed communication ecosystems.
Telegram, DiscordForums
Extraction of niche discussions, technical jargon, and opinions.
Reddit, 4chanVisual
Identification of visual behavior patterns, locations, and social contacts.
InstagramShort Video
Tracking of trends, viral content, and coordinated messaging.
TikTok, ShortsPhase 3: Synthesis
Creation of a central structure for usernames, email addresses, and profile URLs across platforms.
Linking different accounts by matching behavioral signatures (posting times, language style).
Combination of friend lists, follower networks, and groups in a relationship diagram.
Consolidated, chronological representation of all posts to detect activity patterns.
Phase 4: Completion & Documentation
Structured securing of the chain of custody and creation of the methodology report.
Identify signals & remove noise. Concentrate on relevant data points.
Archiving of all data with original hashes, timestamps, and technical metadata.
Regular review of sources and adjustment of methods to changed behavior.