Professional investigators nowadays no longer rely solely on traditional methods such as magnifying glasses and surveillance tactics to solve cases. Instead, they have access to an array of powerful, advanced tools, such as social media. Social media is arguably one of the most useful resources available to these professionals, helping them to uncover evidence and uncover details which may have otherwise gone unnoticed. 

From gathering intelligence to tracing down witnesses and verifying alibis, social media provides a plethora of advantages that can help investigators in their sleuthing. Additionally, social media can be used to track the movements of suspects, their contacts and even key documents or evidence. With its potential for aiding investigations, it is no wonder why many modern professionals rely so heavily on this technology to solve even the most complex of cases.

Social media has revolutionized the way professional investigators go about their jobs. By having the ability to search and connect with people, access information quickly, and track suspect activity, investigators are able to gather evidence and build a comprehensive case, often closing it quickly and efficiently. In particular, searching suspect profiles on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can reveal interesting and often incriminating facts. 

Additionally, with the rise of new technologies such as geolocation tracking, investigators can pinpoint suspects’ exact location at a specific point in time, allowing them to gather evidence and build a case quickly. Moreover, investigators can leverage their own networks to gain new sources of information and acquaintances that would otherwise be unknown to them. Finally, investigators have access to an abundance of public data, providing them with consistent and reliable background information to further their investigation.

How Investigators Are Using Social Media:

Tracking down public records and other data

Social media platforms contain many different types of public records, such as company directories which list the names, contact information, and any other relevant details for companies; employment information which can provide details about individuals in certain professions; and even criminal records which can inform people about any criminal histories that individuals may have.

Deconstructing timelines

Timeline analysis is a powerful tool used by investigators in various types of cases, from criminal investigations to researching historical events. It involves the chronological reconstruction of events and processes by tracing key dates and times. Timeline analysis can help investigators better understand the context of what happened, identify key events or individuals involved, and follow-up for further investigation. Social media can play a major role in timeline analysis because it provides investigators with real-time information from users that can be used to identify connections, recognize patterns, and reconstruct events. Timeline analysis can be used to piece together the bigger picture of what happened, enabling investigators to establish facts, make connections, and draw conclusions.

Finding witnesses

Social media can be an advantageous tool for locating witnesses or people who may have encountered a perpetrator or individual who has been a victim of a crime. By using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, investigators can search for people who may have seen something or interacted with a suspect or victim, providing incredibly valuable evidence for the case. Social media can also help investigators to uncover connections between the suspect and other people that can lead to further clues.

Monitoring activities

Professional investigators have the ability to utilize social media as a tool to keep a close watch on their suspects. Through this method, they can follow any changes in the suspect's behavior or activities. For example, this could include the suspect's checked-in locations, posts and comments, as well as any recent changes to their profile such as uploaded photos or status updates. In this way, investigators can gain valuable insights into their suspect's activities, patterns and behavior.

Identifying key connections

By tracing connections, investigators can use a variety of methods to find out whether two people, events, or facts are related, and how. These connections can reveal information that can be used to build a more detailed picture of the crime or circumstance that is being investigated, which can then be used to create a more complete picture of what happened and help to identify suspects or any other pertinent information that may have been overlooked or not spotted during the initial investigation. Connections traced through interviews, forensic evidence, documents, communication history, and other sources can aid investigators in piecing together the story of the case and potentially leading to the apprehension of any offenders.