Open-source intelligence (OSINT) as an opportunity in the investigation of crimes: The concept of an independent OSINT-unit within the police

Abstract

Aim: In the study the author elaborates the advantages of a central open-source intelligence (OSINT) unit to create within the organization of the Hungarian police and examines some essential points of its establishment.
Methodology: Following the basic police science of crime detection, the author examines how the activities of such a unit could contribute to crime detection, in accordance with the main OSINT disciplinary rules.
Findings: Due to the evolution of the information society and the massive impact of digitization, use of the method of intelligence-led policing including the tools and methods of OSINT provides broader range of opportunities in the criminal intelligence. A set of relevant data linked to the respective criminal offense can increasingly or exclusively be found in the cyberspace. However, there is currently no central service unit within the structure of the Hungarian police force that would provide the human and technical resources necessary for professional and organisational OSINT activities.
Value: The study shows that nowadays the OSINT, as one of the methods used in the criminal intelligence has an increasing role, moreover, it would be reasonable to organize an independent unit on a professional basis within the police organization. In addition, it would also be appropriate to increase the professional training of police officers performing crime detection tasks, potentially in the so-called first-stage OSINT tasks.