Master OSINT geolocation investigations with a step-by-step workflow. Use maps, cell data, transport, and satellite tools to identify places, corroborate evidence, and preserve findings for accurate results.
Follow the highest-ranked tools first, then expand into supporting pivots for deeper investigation.
Use this page as a working sequence, not just a list. Start broad, preserve volatile evidence, and corroborate before reporting.
Record target values, search terms, timestamps, and the first source that produced each lead.
Move from identifiers to related accounts, infrastructure, images, archives, or records only when the link is explainable.
Save screenshots, archive URLs, and keep original source links before pages change or accounts disappear.
Avoid single-source conclusions. Confirm important claims with independent tools, dates, and source types.
Start with the highest-confidence tools for the first pass.
GeoPlaner is a free GIS web tool for coordinate conversion, UTM-Lat/Lon transformation, geocoding, and waypoint editing for OSINT.
Crowdsourced street-level imagery platform that supports image exploration, map feature extraction, APIs, GIS integrations, and geospatial analysis.
CellMapper is a crowd-sourced cellular tower and coverage mapping service.
Move to these once you need validation, pivots, and broader collection.
OpenCelliD is the largest open cell tower database for geolocating IoT and mobile devices without GPS using cell network triangulation.
Flightradar24 provides real-time aircraft positions, flight routes, and track history for aviation monitoring and geolocation research.
MarineTraffic tracks live AIS vessel positions, voyage history, and port calls for maritime monitoring and geospatial intelligence.
Geoscience Australia's geodetic calculators convert between coordinate systems and geographic datums for precision geolocation analysis.
Select any satellite orbiting the Earth and check where is located now. Check satellite passes over your location and receive alerts on your phone
TeleGeography's interactive map visualizes the global undersea fiber optic cable network connecting continents and internet infrastructure.
ArcGIS Image Wayback archives satellite imagery over time, enabling investigators to compare historical and current aerial views of any location.
Use supporting tools when you need corroboration or specialized enrichment.
No additional keyword-based matches.
Before turning this workflow into a finding, make the chain of reasoning easy to audit.
Quote or summarize the source output and keep the original URL.
Record collection time, page timestamps, and archive timestamps separately.
State the investigative relevance and whether it is direct evidence or a lead.
List independent corroboration and note any uncertainty or gaps.