Social Media and Online Investigations

Registration Deadline: October 16, 2026 

This course has been approved by ILETSB for the following mandates:

Civil Rights - .50
Constitutional Use of LE Authority - .50
Procedural Justice – 6.0
Lead Homicide Investigator – 16.0

ALL STUDENTS WILL NEED A LAPTOP OR WINDOWS TABLET (NO IPAD) WITH INTERNET CAPABILITY AND GOOGLE EARTH PRO INSTALLED ON THEIR LAPTOP.

PURPOSE OF COURSE:    
This 2-day (16 hour) program has been designed by the Homeland Security Training Institute at the College of DuPage to provide students with the necessary information to: Obtain intelligence and evidence with social media and other online websites.

COURSE OVERVIEW:    
This course will provide law enforcement officers with the necessary information to find and collect evidence from social media companies and other online websites or investigative tools. The class will combine classroom lectures and practical exercises with a forensic mapping tool for Social Media device locations along with using the internet to find and locate evidence and/or offenders.

COURSE GOALS:

•    Understanding different Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Centers
•    Understanding different paid Intelligence Companies tools and resources
•    Understanding the different information that can be obtained from various Social Media companies
•    Understanding how Internet Providers collect and store information and how IP data can be used in an investigation
•    Understanding various data obtained from Ride Share and other companies
•    Obtaining Motor Vehicle Digital Evidence
•    Using Advertiser ID locations
•    Using data from resellers and pawn shops
•    Using the internet for investigations

COURSE PREREQUISITES:    
Only personnel who are currently employed by a unit of local government in a sworn or civilian capacity will be permitted to attend this program. Only the Chief, Sheriff, or Public Safety Director of the agency requesting this training - or his/her designated representative - may enroll student officers.  Officers will NOT be allowed to enroll themselves.

METHODS OF EVALUATION:    
Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge of all course materials.  Additionally, tl1e instructor will evaluate students' comprehension and retention of course topics based on their participation in practical exercises/scenarios and discussions conducted during the course. Evaluation forms completed by each student will provide feedback to NITAB the quality of the course content and the instructor's effectiveness in delivering this content.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:    
This course is conducted using the following methods of instruction:

•    In-class review of student handout materials
•    In-class lecture
•    In-class scenario-based exercises
•    In-class general discussion

COURSE REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Instructor provided handouts, lecture material and media

COURSE REQUIREMENTS/GRADING POLICY:    
No testing material used.

RECOMMENDED INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS:    
Multi-media projector, laptop computer, screen, TV, monitor, white board, and dry-erase markers.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:   This is a state-certified course.  Thus, no more than I0% of class time may be missed. It is strongly suggested, however, that the students be in attendance for the entire session to maximize upon the knowledge and skill development associated with the training. Should a temporary absence be necessary, it remains the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor and arrange to obtain any information or materials missed due to the absence. This class is a non-credit continuing education course. As such, students will not receive college credit for taking the class and the grades below will not apply to any grade point average.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: 
NITAB supports a strict policy on academic integrity. Students are responsible for their own work, including the preparation of research papers, case study reports and the taking of pre and post examinations.
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade.

HOMEWORK AND ASSIGNMENTS:    
No Homework or Assignments

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:    
Please complete all assignments prior to the beginning of class. All electronic devices are to be turned off before the start of class. Please be courteous to the instructors and your fellow students.

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:    
The classroom is a forum for the exchange of ideas. During the course, questions and/or statements may be made that can and will stimulate different points of view. Everyone has the right to express himself or herself and to be heard. Responses to varying opinions will be respectful and responsible. Class participants will treat their classmates with dignity and respect, both inside and outside the classroom.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:    
NITAB provides equal opportunity in education and does not discriminate    based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS:    
Safety is a priority for all courses, especially those involving hands-on drills and techniques.

THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC MEETING