Advanced searching techniques and search engines: Google and beyond, 7 July 2025
A one-day workshop that builds skills around advanced searching techniques and search engines to enable investigators and analysts to carry out effective open-source intelligence investigations.
It will provide best practice around how to effectively use Google, Bing, Yandex, Baidu and DuckDuckGo search engines.
It is the first in our five-part series of open-source intelligence skills builder CPD series for investigators and analysts.
The series builds skills and confidence around contemporary open-source intelligence techniques and operational strategies for investigators and analysts.
It is a must-attend for investigators and analysts who want to keep updated on new sites and searching techniques and conduct effective online investigations.
A task sheet will be available after the event to enable delegates to practice key techniques and learning from the workshop.
Held online via Teams. Certificates of CPD available
AGENDA - BST
9.50am-10am: Welcome and introduction, Carol Jenkins, The Investigator
10am-11am: Google Advanced Searching Techniques: limiting the number of irrelevant responses, getting to what you need to find, from searching addresses, phone numbers and for online accounts
11am-11.10am: Questions
11.10am-11.30am: Break
11am.11.30am: Google Search for images and videos ensuring you search smartly and effectively
11.30am-11.40am: Questions
11.40am-Noon: Break
Noon-1pm: Other Search Engines Part One: Bing and Yandex, the main other search engines and how and when you use them. We’ll look at Cached and Archived sites
1pm-1.10pm: Questions
1.10pm-2.10pm: Other Search Engines Part Two: Baidu to DuckDuckGo – looking at a few of the other search engine options, with Meta Search Engines and Privacy Based Search Engines
2.10pm: Workshop finishes.
Other workshops in the series
30 April: Setting up online accounts with a fake name: operational best practice around setting up online accounts with a fake name including ethical considerations and advice around how to protect your digital footprint
21 May: Social Media Investigations: maximising the potential intelligence from Facebook, Instagram, TikTok
22 May: Social Media Investigations: maximising the potential intelligence from Twitter, Bluesky, OnlyFans and Linkedin
26 June: Investigating Emails and Email Addresses: best practice around investigating emails and email addresses to prove the identity of an individual and other vital information which could provide useful to an investigation
Our expert trainer
The series will be led by established open-source trainer, speaker and investigator Neil Smith.
Neil has previously worked as an investigator in a UK force and now conducts internet investigations for a range of public and private sector organisations.
He also lectures and presents to law enforcement and other public and private sector organisations across the world.
He has been working with the Investigator since our inception and has delivered many highly successful events that have been well-received by investigators in the UK and internationally.
HOW TO BOOK
Cost: £199.50 + VAT (GBP) per delegate per workshop (LEA and Government Agency rate). £249.50 + VAT (Industry rate),
Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.
Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or telephone +44(0)844 660 8707 for further information.
Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card (corporate card fees apply + 3%). The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.