Associate feature: Can integrated Clear & Dark Web data revolutionise intelligence investigations?

Can integrated Clear & Dark Web data revolutionise intelligence investigations?

Digital technology is reshaping both the nature of crime and the tools used to investigate it. As more criminal activity moves online, law enforcement must adapt its methods. One promising development is the integration of Clear and Dark Web data, offering a more complete view of digital threats and intelligence opportunities.

Clear Web: a familiar starting point

The Clear Web remains a vital resource for investigators. It provides a wealth of publicly accessible information that can help build profiles, verify identities, and track activities. Key use cases include:

• Open Source Intelligence (OSINT): Gathering data from search engines, social media, news sites, and public records to uncover connections, assets, and timelines.
• Social media analysis: Reviewing posts, photos, and interactions to understand relationships, interests, and potential threats.
• Media monitoring: Tracking sentiment and emerging risks through news articles, blogs, and forums.
• Background checks: Using public records to assess risk, confirm identities, and uncover financial or criminal histories.

The Deep & Dark Web: hidden intelligence potential

While the Clear Web is vast, it represents only a small part of the internet. Beneath it lies the Deep Web, and within that, the Dark Web, which is accessible only through specialised browsers. Although often associated with illegal activity, the Dark Web also hosts legitimate users such as whistleblowers and activists.

For investigators, the Dark Web can reveal criminal marketplaces, cyber threat discussions, and insider leaks. However, its volatility, anonymity, and encryption make it difficult to navigate without the right tools and expertise.

Challenges in digital investigations

Investigating across both the Clear and Dark Web presents several shared challenges:

• The overwhelming volume of data
• Encrypted communications and transactions
• Cross-border crimes requiring international cooperation
• Fragmented data across platforms and formats
• Evolving legal and ethical frameworks

The Dark Web adds further complexity. Sites appear and disappear quickly, and anonymity makes attribution difficult. While automated tools are essential, human analysis remains critical to avoid false leads.

Trends in the evolving investigation landscape

As digital crime evolves, so must the tools and strategies used to combat it. Key developments include:

• AI and machine learning: These technologies are used to create deepfakes, automate cyberattacks, and generate illicit content. However, they also support investigators by automating data collection, identifying patterns, and predicting behaviour.
• Big data analytics: These tools help uncover hidden connections in complex networks, offering insights that would be difficult to detect manually.
• Blockchain analysis: With the rise of privacy-focused cryptocurrencies, tracing transactions requires advanced techniques. As central banks explore digital currencies, this skillset is becoming increasingly important.
• Web3 and decentralisation: New platforms built on blockchain technology require fresh investigative approaches.
• Data protection legislation: Laws such as the UK’s Data Protection and Digital Information Bill require investigators to stay informed and compliant.

A collaborative approach to cyber crime

Given the complexity of digital crime, collaboration is essential. Law enforcement, private sector experts, and technology providers must work together to share intelligence, develop tools, and build capacity. This collective approach strengthens the ability to respond to threats and protect the public.

DarkBlue: CACI’s integrated intelligence platform

To address these challenges, CACI developed DarkBlue, a user-friendly platform designed for investigations across the Clear, Deep, and Dark Web. Drawing on over a decade of data collection, DarkBlue provides access to billions of pages, including content that has since been removed.

At the heart of the suite is DarkPursuit, a secure, anonymous browsing environment that integrates multiple specialist tools. Investigators can move seamlessly between search, live environments, and analysis.

The latest addition, CluesAI, uses generative AI to help deanonymise individuals by collecting identifiers such as email addresses and cryptocurrency wallets. It cross-references this data with CACI’s extensive database and highlights potential leads in a single report.

As the digital landscape continues to grow in complexity, tools like DarkBlue and services such as CACI’s OSINT as a Service provide the support and expertise needed to stay ahead of emerging threats.

Contact CACI to learn how we can support your digital investigations.