Investigations

Social media has become one of the richest sources of publicly available information, offering real time insight into people, events, and emerging trends. Yet many investigators are not fully tapping into the depth of data these platforms provide or the techniques required to analyze it...

In a world where nearly every action leaves a trace, understanding your digital footprint is essential. Many people do not realize how easily their personal information can appear online or how that data can be collected, analyzed, and used in ways they never...

Every investigator relies on a set of trusted tools to make sense of the vast amount of information available online, but knowing which resources to use and when to use them is what sets strong OSINT work apart. Many analysts are familiar with popular platforms yet are not fully aware of the...

In the world of intellectual property (IP) law, protecting your client’s brand, ideas, and creations is a relentless pursuit—and one that requires more than legal acumen. According to the Associated Press, counterfeiters and hackers cost the US roughly $600 billion annually. IP theft and...

Reflections from Cynthia Hetherington CEO and Founder, Hetherington Group It’s hard to believe that a quarter-century has passed since Hetherington Group embarked on this incredible journey.  The early 1990’s saw the monumental interest and growth in personal computers and Internet...

As a freelance OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) engineer, I’ve encountered my fair share of intriguing and sometimes harrowing cases. One such case involved a client, who we will call Jane, who reached out to me in a state of sheer panic. Her ex-boyfriend had been stalking her relentlessly,...

AI & the Investigator: Why AI-Enabled Tools for Investigating Companies & People Cannot Replace the Human Investigator This is part 3 our 3-part mini-blog series. It may be tempting to think that a corporate research and due diligence department could simply invest in AI technologies and...

AI & the Investigator: The Most Critical AI Tools for Investigating Companies and People This is part 2 of our 3-part mini-blog series. To enhance their effectiveness in performing ongoing due diligence for their clients, investigators must maintain proficiency in the use of an array of AI...

This is part 1 our 3-part mini-blog series. In nearly every OSINT investigation, the client’s objective is to perform some kind of due diligence that will detect threats, mitigate risk, and enable clear decision-making. Decades ago, being a private investigator was extremely laborious and often...