Why We Created the Applied Investigations Spring Cohort | Tool Evaluation Cohort
Investigators today operate in an environment defined by rapid technological change. The number of available OSINT platforms, analytical tools, and data sources continues to expand at an unprecedented rate. While this growth presents new opportunities, it also introduces a practical challenge: how to systematically evaluate and integrate tools into investigative workflows.
Many investigators rely on a core set of tools that they have used for years, while others adopt new platforms based on peer recommendations, conference demonstrations, or vendor marketing. In both cases, organizations often lack a structured methodology for assessing tools, comparing capabilities, and determining how they fit within existing investigative processes.
We created this cohort to address that gap.
Rather than focusing on demonstrations of individual tools, this program focuses on building a repeatable framework for evaluating investigative technology. The goal is to help investigators make informed decisions about which tools to adopt, how to assess their effectiveness, and how to integrate them into efficient workflows.
The Strategic Value of Structured Tool Evaluation
A structured evaluation approach provides several key benefits for investigative professionals and their organizations:
Improved decision-making when selecting new OSINT tools
Reduced reliance on marketing claims or informal recommendations
Better alignment between investigative needs and technology capabilities
More efficient workflows built around validated tools and processes
As the OSINT ecosystem continues to evolve, particularly with the emergence of automation and AI-enabled tools, investigators increasingly need a disciplined approach to evaluating technology rather than reacting to each new product release.
This cohort is designed to provide that structure.
What Participants Will Gain
Participants in the cohort will engage in a collaborative, practitioner-focused learning environment where they will:
Conduct in-depth evaluations of OSINT tools
Develop a framework for systematically assessing investigative technologies
Analyze how different tools perform across investigative use cases
Build a personalized investigative workflow tailored to their professional needs
Benefit from insights and evaluation findings shared by other experienced investigators
Throughout the program, participants will apply their existing investigative expertise while developing a methodology they can replicate within their organizations.
The outcome is not simply familiarity with additional tools; it is the ability to evaluate any tool in a structured, defensible manner.
Who Should Participate
This cohort is designed for investigative professionals who:
Regularly conduct open-source or digital investigations
Evaluate or recommend investigative technologies within their organization
Seek to improve the efficiency and structure of their investigative workflow
Want to develop a repeatable process for assessing emerging OSINT tools
The program is structured to encourage meaningful discussion and professional collaboration.
Limited Enrollment
To ensure a high-quality experience and meaningful interaction among participants, enrollment is limited to a maximum of 10 investigators.
This format allows for detailed discussion of tool assessments, personalized feedback, and opportunities to learn from the experiences of other professionals in the cohort.
Investigators interested in participating can learn more and secure their place here:
https://plessas.mykajabi.com/offers/nN5vpTmu/checkout
The objective of this cohort is straightforward: to equip investigators with a structured framework for evaluating tools, building effective workflows, and making informed technology decisions in a rapidly evolving OSINT landscape.