From 9 to 13 March, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department organized an introductory training course on open-source intelligence (OSINT) and online investigations in Chișinău, Moldova. The course brought together 25 investigating officers from Moldova's General Police Inspectorate, General Inspectorate of the Border Police, Police Academy and Customs Service.
The course enhanced the investigators' ability to identify, analyze and act upon online information relevant to complex criminal and security-related cases.
"Criminal networks rely on online tools to carry out virtually all of their illegal activities, which means that OSINT is no longer a specialized skill, it has become an essential tool for modern law enforcement," said an investigator from the General Police Inspectorate.
The course included ten modules covering topics such as understanding basic OSINT concepts; ensuring online security; analyzing social media, emails, images and other online sources; preserving digital evidence; and upholding respect for human rights during online investigations.
An intermediate-level course will follow in May 2026, and the training materials will also be added to the e-learning platforms of Moldovan law enforcement agencies.
"The course provided practical tools that we can immediately apply in our investigations. The opportunity to become an OSINT trainer will help ensure these skills are shared more widely across law enforcement in Moldova," said the same investigator from the General Police Inspectorate.
By strengthening analytical capabilities, operational security practices and a human rights-centred approach to investigations, the course contributes to stronger cases, fewer investigative gaps and evidence that withstands judicial scrutiny.
The training course was delivered as part of the OSCE extrabudgetary project " Support to the Law Enforcement Agencies in Moldova in Response to the Security Challenges in the Region ". The project aims to strengthen Moldova's capacity to counter transnational threats in line with international commitments. It is funded by France, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
