Open Source Investigations (OSINT) have become increasingly important in the documentation of war crimes and human rights abuses. OSINT involves the collection and analysis of a wide range of publicly and commercially available information, such as satellite imagery, photos and videos shared online, social media posts, and news reports. These methods have been used to document war crimes and human rights abuses in a number of recent conflicts, including the Syrian civil war, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and recent events in Sudan.
OSINT is a powerful tool for human rights and war crimes investigators, but it is not without its challenges, such as the sheer volume of information generated and mis- and disinformation. Despite these challenges, OSINT has the potential to play an even greater role in human rights and war crimes investigations in the future. As technology advances, new OSINT tools and techniques are constantly being developed, making it easier for investigators to collect, analyze, and manage OSINT data.
This panel discussion will bring together experts at the intersection of open source investigations. technology, and the law to discuss the following topics:
