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Midwest Counterdrug Training Center

Open Source Investigations for Anti-Trafficking Operations
Tuesday, April 25 - Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Course Start: 9:30 AM CST
Directions:

Course Start Times are listed below for each Time Zone:

Pacific: 0730 AM
Mountain: 0830 AM
Central: 0930 AM
Eastern: 1030 AM

MCTC Distance Learning Requirements
 1. An internet enabled device: Macbook, PC, Desktop, Chromebook, or Mobile Device
 2. A valid physical (no P.O. boxes) mailing address to ship course materials
  
Additional Notes about MCTC Distance Learning Courses
 1. All personal identifying information will be deleted after course completion
 2. Due to the sensitive information in the course, all registrations will be labeled "APPLY FOR TRAINING" until positive identification can be confirmed
 3. Please attach a copy of your department issued photo ID in the registration form
 4. Once identification is confirmed, a confirmation email will verify your placement in the course
 5. Physical course materials and Distance Learning information will be sent out prior to the start of the course

Registration
This course is restricted to US military law enforcement personnel along with other local, state, and federal civilian law enforcement employees to include criminal analysts, and corrections officers.

Tuition/Fees
There is no cost to attend this training.

Course Description
The course is designed to instruct officers how to gather evidence and intelligence of illegal activity displayed or hidden in social media and other sites. This course covers how to use open source tools to enhance anti-trafficking and investigative operations. These tools should include but are not limited to websites and third party applications (apps). Hands-on practical exercises that are realistic and represent real world activities are a major part of this course. The class challenges students to apply effective classroom theory to the exercises. Each hands-on exercise shall is followed by an after-action review of the students’ products in order to ensure all training objectives have been met.

Topics Covered

• Introduction – Open-source Intelligence for law enforcement
• National trends of traffickers using social media for illicit purposes
• Legal considerations for open source investigations
• Using the internet and social media sites for intelligence gathering in law enforcement operations
• Key apps and sites to use in investigations
• Identifying threats through the internet and social media
• Tracking criminals, and missing persons
• Apps and technology used against law enforcement
• How to protect the agent’s identity on social media
• How to establish a safe and legal undercover persona through social media
• How to conduct undercover investigations through the internet and social media
• Smart Phone Utilization during law enforcement investigations
• Doxing - how to combat and use as a tool in investigations 

Required Equipment
It is recommended that students bring 1 of the following for practical exercises: Laptop, IPAD or Tablet.

Course Length
Open Source Investigations for Anti-Trafficking Operations is a 2 Day (16 Hour) course.

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to attend this course.


STUDENT CONTACT INFORMATION
*Required
First Name:*

Last Name:*

Position/Title/Rank:*

Phone Work: (include area code)*

Cell Phone: (include area code)*

*Note: .mil addresses are currently unable to receive confirmation emails or attachments from MCTC, please input a civilian or commercial email address below

Email Address for confirmation, ZOOM link, Course Evaluation, and Certificate
*Email Address:


LAW ENFORCEMENT CREDENTIALS*
Attach a photo of your credentials

AGENCY / ORGANIZATION 
*Required
Agency/Organization Name:*

Agency Type:*

Agency City:*

Agency State:*
Agency Zip code:*


SUPERVISOR/TRAINING MANAGER*
*Required
Full Name*

Phone Work: (include area code)*

E-mail:*


STUDENT MAILING ADDRESS (for Course Materials)* NO P.O. BOXES
* Incomplete address info will disqualify your application
Street Address and Apt/Bldg:

City, State, Zip Code:


ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Are you currently a member of the US Armed Forces 
(Active, Reserve, Guard, or Auxiliary)?*


Is your agency/organization a HIDTA participant?*