Part IV, 15 Open Source Investigations for Legal Accountability: Challenges and Best Practices

Subject(s):

Human rights — Internet — International criminal law — Evidence

This chapter outlines preliminary reflections on the minimum standards and best practices for conducting open source investigations in anticipation of litigiation. While open sources have long played an important role in information gathering for evidentiary purposes, digital technologies are emerging and changing so rapidly that it is difficult to stay on top of all of the ways that digital open sources can support case development. Formalizing and disseminating open source investigation methods as a means to contribute to the successful adjudication of human rights cases is vital. As more and more communication takes place through digital channels, it will be increasingly important for lawyers and legal investigators to understand the diverse online locations in which relevant information may be found.