A review of using online social networks for investigative activities

Abstract

In this paper, we will describe the use of online social networks (OSNs) for law enforcement. With the increased growth of use of OSNs, the use of OSNs for law enforcement has also shown a parallel growth. Such a trend can easily be seen in the increase of reported number of criminal cases being solved by police officers of various countries. It is of interest to find out how OSNs are actually used by law enforcers to anticipate a crime, how they are being used by law enforcers to solve a crime committed, how they are used by criminals to commit a crime and what possible further needs law enforces have in using OSNs for predicting and solving crimes. In order to be able to answer these questions, we have done an extensive review of the literature and existing available crimes. This led us to understand the nature of using OSNs for law enforcement. Further, we have contacted a questionnaire with the top level law enforcers in Turkey in order to find answers to the given questions above. © 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland.