OSINT has long been embedded in public sector (PubSec) investigations, but is it being used to its full potential to fight serious and organised crime? Drawing on findings from our industry report, The State of OSINT 2025, this article highlights the three insights that matter most for PubSec investigators today, from underused data sources to cultural and technological barriers shaping OSINT’s impact.
The State of OSINT survey data confirmed the public sector’s high OSINT maturity: 58% of PubSec investigators reported using OSINT more than half the time. This is higher than the private sector, but it shows that a large utilisation gap remains, meaning that critical intelligence is being missed.
While PubSec investigators use a diverse range of OSINT sources to a greater extent than other sectors, we saw some untapped opportunities. Less than 60% of PubSec respondents said they used forums or leaks data, compared to 75% or higher for any other OSINT source. Organised crime doesn’t operate exclusively in the shadows: fake adverts for investments or jobs posted on forums can target vulnerable people for fraud and human trafficking. And leaks data can expose previously unseen connections that reveal criminal networks and the bad actors within them.
Our PubSec survey respondents frequently mentioned leaks data as an OSINT source they wish they had more access to. Combined with 32% citing strict rules around OSINT as a barrier to their investigations, it’s possible that security issues and laws such as RIPA are preventing OSINT use in areas where it could be impactful. Specialist OSINT tools can mitigate this risk, with software like Videris providing a secure browser that obscures investigator identities and centalised access to proprietary and niche data sources.
PubSec OSINT use predates that of all other sectors, with roots in WWII espionage through the monitoring of newspapers and radio broadcasts. Despite decades of experience and embedded practice, however, PubSec investigation professionals are still facing barriers which prevent them from using OSINT to its full potential. In their responses to The State of OSINT survey, 15% of PubSec respondents said the biggest barrier to successful investigations was their organisation's failure to prioritise OSINT.
OSINT often provides critical insights that create a more comprehensive picture of perpetrators or criminal enterprises, so this lack of prioritisation is worrying at any level. Sir Mark Rowley QPM's 2021 article shared the barriers to OSINT adoption he saw in law enforcement. He citied misconceptions, cultural and technological barriers and lengthy, bureaucratic processes as key challenges. Lack of prioritisation is likely a result of these systemic hurdles.
Factoring in the 7% of PubSec investigation professionals who reported they’d had no OSINT training in the last six months, we can begin to infer the wider picture. PubSec investigation professionals may be among the most experienced with OSINT, but they may also be operating with limited or inconsistent support. Educating central government and local leadership on the immense value of OSINT for law enforcement is likely key for increased prioritisation.
On average, investigation professionals feel positive about the potential impact of AI on their investigations. But PubSec respondents were the least optimistic in The State of OSINT, with only 62% expressing positive sentiment compared to 70% of all respondents. It’s far from AI detraction, but it does indicate a perception gap between the public and private sectors.
Blackdot’s CEO Stuart Clarke has written about the importance of trust to successful AI implementation for investigators, emphasising investigator trust in systems due to the ‘significant societal impact’ of the work. Nowhere is this more pronounced than in PubSec investigations tackling serious and organised crime. Amid concerns about an AI bubble and privacy risks, PubSec investigation professionals may be sceptical about AI’s readiness for their complex, sensitive work. The gap may also reflect that AI has the potential to further complicate and scale criminal activity, even as it streamlines investigative processes.
Handled diligently and ethically, AI offers enormous advantages for PubSec investigators. Videris Automate offers an example of this in action, enhancing investigation efficiency and depth, while working to clear, custom playbooks and providing full explainability.