This workshop is a five-day in-person training that will teach digital investigation techniques and provide extensive guided, hands-on practice. The workshop will run over a full week, from October 16 to 20, 2023. Each day, the workshop will run for approximately eight hours (~9am-5pm, including lunch and breaks) in New York, NY, USA. All participants must attend in-person. At least two, usually three, Bellingcat trainers will be present throughout the week.
Only 20 seats are being sold for this event.
Our in-person workshops are split into two segments: approximately three days (~24 hours) of hands-on training developing approaches and techniques of digital investigation, and approximately two days (~16 hours) of guided project work. The content of our training is similar to that of our 16-hour webinars, but with the benefit of in-person interaction and assistance. We also have at least one "guest appearance" of other researchers working in digital investigations, either appearing in-person or virtually.
The course's content over the first three days will include:
- Introduction to open source investigation
- Creative search fundamentals
- How to conduct (nearly) traceless and anonymous/pseudonymous research
Beginning & advanced verification topics, including:
- Verification of user-generated materials
- Intuitive reverse search techniques in digital investigations
- Geolocation & chronolocation of visual materials
- Using mapping and satellite services in investigations
Beginning & advanced social media topics, including:
- Fundamental techniques and creative search strategies on individuals & groups
- Platform-specific tutorials, including Telegram and others as time allows (e.g. 4chan/8kun, "alternative" social platforms such as Gab, etc.)
- Tracking transportation services (e.g. naval vessels, aircraft) for investigations
Upon confirmation of registration and payment, we will send the precise workshop venue location, time, and other logistical details to workshop participants shortly before the event. The venue is easily accessible within New York. Please note that the location on the map in the Eventzilla page is not accurate for the actual venue -- this is just the default location for New York on the site. Coffee/tea and light lunches will be provided to participants at the venue.
We will hold an additional in-person workshops in London in 2023. We have not yet confirmed date for this event, but it will likely take place in late autumn.
The baseline cost for the workshop is 2,500 EUR per participant, in line with the rate as our webinars (250 EUR per 4-hour segment) plus a small fee to cover costs from Eventzilla and transaction costs.
Please contact us at workshops@bellingcat.com if you have any questions. We are looking forward to seeing our participants again in-person!
