Night Owl Reconnaissance provides a structured training program for volunteers who contribute to our work in missing person investigations. This program introduces participants to the principles of open-source intelligence, ethical research, and the fundamentals of analyzing missing person cases. It is designed to build capable, responsible researchers who can support our mission with accuracy and professionalism.

Volunteers who complete the training receive a formal certification recognizing their work, their commitment, and their understanding of the methods we use. This certification supports professional development, reinforces our standards, and prepares volunteers for meaningful contributions to the cases we examine.

Program Overview

The training program is divided into several modules covering essential areas of missing person research. Core topics include open-source intelligence concepts, investigative ethics, digital information review, data validation, case dynamics, and advanced analytic techniques. Each module includes supporting materials and a short assessment to confirm comprehension.

The program concludes with a specialized final exam that evaluates the participant’s understanding of the content and their ability to apply the core principles of responsible OSINT research in a missing person context.

The certification helps ensure that everyone who works with Night Owl Reconnaissance understands the ethics, methods, and responsibilities involved in missing person research. It builds practical skills, supports professional development, and helps us maintain high standards across all of our work.

NOTE: The certification should not be viewed as law enforcement training.

Availability

The certification is currently offered to active volunteers within Night Owl Reconnaissance. A public-access version of the training program is planned for future release to support broader community education on ethical open-source research and missing person investigations.