Conducting an online investigation takes more planning than simply going online in search of a suspect. Understanding a real-world neighborhood's residents, landscape and problems can help keep officers safe and enable them to investigate crime more effectively; this is true online as well. Also as in the real world, officers must understand the boundaries between their personal and professional roles, and act accordingly when they are online. In this webinar, learn how to plot strategies for different kinds of social media use, how criminals can take advantage of you as easily as you can of them, and what you can do about it.

1. Online
Officer Safety

2. Disclaimer
I am not an Attorney and although I will
be providing information about legal
matters – this should NOT be
considered legal advice
Consult with your agency or personal
attorney
This presentation is not an official
representation of the Office of the
Missouri Attorney General

3. Presentation
Online Identities
– Professional
– Undercover
– Personal
GPS
Boundaries

4. Teens and Social Networking
Of online teens with profiles
–82% include their first name
–79% include a photo of themselves
–61% include their city or town
–49% include the name of their school
–29% include last name & Email address
–2% have included their cell phone #
Teens, Privacy & Online Social Networks,
Pew Internet & American Life Project
April 2007

5. Social Media – (web 2.0)
Blogs - (twitter)
Social Networks - (facebook)
Video Sharing - (youtube)
Audio Sharing - (podcasts)
Photo Sharing – (flickr)
Geolocating – (foursquare)

6. 1st Amendment & Government Employee
“when a citizen enters government
service, the citizen by necessity
must accept certain limitation on
his or her freedom”
US Supreme Court
Garcetti v Ceballos 2006

7. Official Use of Social Media
Investigations
–Missing Persons
–Cyber Stalking/Harassment
–Evidence (photos or statements)
Crime Prevention
Recruitment/Vetting
Community Outreach

8. Official Use of Social Media
Policy & Training
–Vere Software Model Policies
–IACP Social Media Concept Paper
Authorization
–Public Information Officer
Information Management Issues

9. Undercover Use of Social Media
Use of proper equipment
–IP Address
–Terms of Service
Document your actions
–Rules of evidence
–Entrapment issues
Who are your friends?
–Don’t use your family!!!

10. Personal Use of Social Media
Policy Issues
–Agency identification (uniform, patch)
Freedom of Speech
–Detrimental to the mission and
function of the employer
Public Information
–Name, home address, phone, email
–Family connections

11. Personal Use of Social Media
Personal & Work Crossover Issues
–Duty status
–Agency identification (uniform, patch)
Crime scene photos
Time stamps!!
Bias, weapons, violence, sex

12. Personal Use of Social Media
Investigative or sensitive information
Sexually explicit communications
–Quon v City of Ontario (June 2010)
Defamatory or offensive material
Crossing appropriate boundaries
–SRO & students

13. Amy Hestir Student Protection Act
MO Senate Bill 54 (162.069)
“Exclusive Access”
No teacher shall establish:
– an internet site unless available to
parents & administration

14. Are You At Risk?
Who would use this against you?
–Defense
–Suspect
–Someone who doesn’t like you/cops
Ratemycop.com
Topix.com
Facebook (ie: Missouri Police Complaints)

15. Are You At Risk?
Protect your
–NAME
–IDENTITY
–REPUTATION
Passwords
Phone access

16. Location Based Sites
Geolocation social media
–Brightkite
–Foursquare
–Gowalla
Used to meet up with friends
May have incentives from businesses

17. Photo Exif Data

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19. Exif Data
Free IPhone App – Exif Wizard
Works on images from
iPhones, iPad, many cameras
–“a button which allows you to open
your iPhone’s built-in Maps app to
obtain directions to a photo’s location”

20. iPhone GPS
* Settings
* General
* Location Services

21. Removing Personal Info
Conduct a search of your name
–Don’t just use Google
• www.thesearchenginelist.com
–You may be able to remove some of
your data
• www.unlistmy.info

22. Final Thoughts
There is NO eraser button
Watch for Behavioral Marketing
Consider what the defense might use
Understand “Sync Contacts”
Take a break:
–Don’t live your life online!!!

23. JOE LARAMIE
MISSOURI ATTORNEY
GENERAL’S OFFICE
JOE.LARAMIE@AGO.MO.GOV