OSINT on the Dark Web: Child Abuse Material Investigations
Date
2022
Journal Title
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Publisher
Information & Security
Abstract
The Dark Web allows users to hide their identity while browsing or sending
information, providing an ideal environment for transferring information,
goods, and services with potentially illegal intentions. Therefore, Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) are interested in Open Source INTelligence (OSINT) on
the Dark Web. LEAs need appropriate techniques to find darknet sites used
by criminals. This article examines online child sexual exploitation and the various OSINT automation tools that can be exploited on the Dark Web. Additionally, we consider OSINT on the Dark Web, paying attention to the challenges LEAs face when investigating crimes related to child abuse material
(CAM). The biggest challenges are related to data storage and the criminal
investigation itself. CAM may not be recorded or examined except by an LEA
officer specifically designated and trained for this purpose. The study examines how OSINT could be implemented without exposing researchers to the
contents of CAM. The method could be to focus the inquiry on already known
links and sites. This has challenges, but a bigger number of LEAs could carry
out such an inquiry, and the storage of such data would not be illegal.
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Keywords
child sexual abuse material, Finland, International Resources, investigation, cybercrime
Citation
Rajamäki, J. ; Lahti, I. & Parviainen, J. (2022). OSINT on the Dark Web: Child Abuse Material Investigations. Information & Security 53:1, 21-32.