bellingcat-data-analysis

name	bellingcat-data-analysis
description	Analyze, visualize, and organize OSINT data. Create charts, maps, network graphs, timelines, and manage datasets collaboratively. Use when the user needs to analyze collected data, create visualizations, manage notes, or collaborate on investigations, even if they don't mention "data analysis" or "OSINT."
compatibility	Requires internet access to fetch tool detail pages from bellingcat.gitbook.io

Bellingcat Data Analysis & Organization Tools

Tools for analyzing, visualizing, and organizing data collected during open source investigations.

Choosing Tools

• Use collection and organization tools before visualization; choose timelines for sequence, maps for location, and graphs for relationships.
• Keep source URLs, timestamps, and transformations with the data so findings remain reproducible.

Tools

Tool	Best for	Cost	Description	Guide
4CAT	A tool designed for the easy collection and analysis of online datasets.	Free	4CAT is a tool designed for the easy collection and analysis of online datasets. It allows researchers to uncover pat...	Details
Atlos	ATLOS is a platform for collaborative and large-scale open source investigations.	Partially Free	ATLOS is a platform for collaborative and large-scale open source investigations.	Details
Blender	An open-source 3D creation suite supporting the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation,…	Free	Blender is an open-source 3D creation suite supporting the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rend...	Details
Datasette	Open-source “WordPress-for-data” that turns any SQLite database into an interactive…	Free	Open-source “WordPress-for-data” that turns any SQLite database into an interactive website and JSON API in seconds; ...	Details
Datawrapper	A tool for creating interactive charts, maps, and tables from your data, offering a…	Partially Free	A tool for creating interactive charts, maps, and tables from your data, offering a user-friendly interface for visua...	Details
Gephi	Open-source network analysis and visualization software	Free	Open-source network analysis and visualization software	Details
Logseq	An open-source knowledge management tool that enables users to organize their notes,…	Free	Logseq is an open-source knowledge management tool that enables users to organize their notes, tasks, and projects.	Details
Maltego Graph	An investigation platform that combines two things at once: (1) It acts as a search tool,…	Partially Free	Maltego Graph is an investigation platform that combines two things at once: (1) It acts as a search tool, and (2) It...	Details
Obsidian	A knowledge management and note-taking app with extensive customization options.	Partially Free	A knowledge management and note-taking app with extensive customization options.	Details
Pinpoint	A tool by Google to catalogue uploaded documents and files, providing automated text…	Free	A tool by Google to catalogue uploaded documents and files, providing automated text recogntion, indexing, audiotrans...	Details
QGIS	A free Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS).	Free	QGIS is a free Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS).	Details
RAWGraphs	An open-source data visualization tool designed for non-technical users, enabling the…	Free	RAWGraphs is an open-source data visualization tool designed for non-technical users, enabling the creation of custom...	Details
Time.Graphics	A tool for creating, visualizing, and managing timelines online.	Partially Free	A tool for creating, visualizing, and managing timelines online.

Investigation Tips

• Use Datawrapper or RAWGraphs for quick, publishable data visualizations without coding
• Gephi is essential for network analysis — mapping relationships between entities
• 4CAT excels at collecting and analyzing large datasets from social media platforms
• QGIS combines with maps/satellite tools for advanced geospatial analysis
• Obsidian or Logseq for organizing investigation notes and linking findings
• Atlos enables collaborative large-scale investigations with team workflows