| Module | COMP47420 – Exploring Search Operators for Investigations |
| University | University College Dublin (UCD), Postgraduate Certificate in Fraud and E-Crime Investigation |
| NFQ level | Level 9 |
| Weighting | 40% – PDF, max 3 pages |
| Deadline | 4 December 2026, 1:00 pm (Moodle) |
In this UCD COMP47420 brief you show how open-source intelligence is gathered in practice. You build a table of at least twelve Bing operators with realistic investigative search strings and compare Bing with Google, then apply OSINT methods to a 2012 Dublin case to trace burial, family and residence records, listing every operator you used.
Submission Instructions
Answer both Question 1 and Question 2. Upload the assignment to Moodle as a PDF (maximum 3 pages) using the filename format COMP47420_StudentName_StudentNumber.pdf. A deduction of 10% applies to an assignment submitted in an incorrect format.
Question 1: Bing Search Operators for OSINT
While Google is the most commonly used search engine in OSINT investigations, Bing (operated by Microsoft) provides unique search operators and indexing behaviours that can uncover data not visible through Google Search. This assignment challenges you to explore Bing’s advanced search syntax and demonstrate how these operators can support investigative research, particularly in law-enforcement and intelligence contexts.
Task instructions
- Research and compile a list of at least 12 Bing search operators (for example, site:, filetype:, contains: and inanchor:).
- For each operator, provide a description of what the operator does and a practical example: a realistic search string showing how it might be used in an OSINT or law-enforcement context.
- Ensure that examples are relevant to investigations such as cybercrime, fraud, missing persons or corporate insider threats.
- Present your findings in a clear, structured table (see the example below).
Example format
| Operator | Description | Example (law-enforcement context) |
| site: | Limits results to a specific website or domain. | site:facebook.com “John Smith” Dublin – searches for profiles or mentions of John Smith on Facebook. |
| filetype: | Finds specific file formats. | filetype:pdf “confidential” “budget 2024” – locates exposed PDF documents containing sensitive terms. |
| contains: | Returns pages containing links to files of a specific type. | contains:pdf “incident report” – finds web pages that link to downloadable PDF incident reports. |
| ip: | Displays sites hosted on a particular IP address. | ip:198.51.100.42 – identifies other sites hosted on the same server as a suspect domain. |
| inanchor: | Searches for terms in the anchor text of hyperlinks. | inanchor:”login” – finds pages linked with “login” in the anchor text, useful for credential-phishing analysis. |
Additional guidance
- You are encouraged to test queries in Bing and note differences compared with Google’s results.
- Highlight at least two operators that are unique to Bing and are not available in Google Search.
- Conclude with a short paragraph of 100–150 words summarising your findings: How does Bing differ from Google for OSINT use? What advantages or limitations did you notice?
Question 2: OSINT Scenario
Alan Ryan, RIRA leader (32 years of age), was shot dead in a north Dublin suburban street on the afternoon of Monday, 3 September 2012.
Scenario: A recent examination of an OCG member’s mobile phone reveals that a firearm and a quantity of drugs have been hidden under a plaque containing an engraving of a motorbike. Ryan is buried in a graveyard managed by Dublin Fingal County Council.
Using OSINT (open-source intelligence) techniques, complete the following tasks:
- Build a family tree for Alan Ryan RIRA.
- What is the name of the graveyard?
- What was the date of his interment?
- In which section is Ryan buried?
- What is the grave number?
- What was his religion?
- What was his last place of residence?
NB: Include the Google or Bing search operators you used to find this information.
Postgraduate-Level Guidance (NFQ Level 9)
The UCD Postgraduate Certificate in Fraud and E-Crime Investigation is aligned with Level 9 of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), the same level as a Master’s degree. Students are expected to demonstrate a high standard of academic knowledge, critical analysis, independent research and professional application of the subject matter.
- The work should be clearly organised, logically developed and written in a formal academic style, supported by relevant academic literature, credible sources and appropriate evidence.
- All sources must be accurately cited and referenced using the required referencing style.
- Attention should be given to spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting and consistency; headings, tables and figures should be clearly labelled.
- The submission should go beyond description and show critical engagement, evidence-based reasoning, independent thought and the application of theory to practical issues in fraud and e-crime investigation.
Get Expert Help with COMP47420
Three pages is very little space for twelve operators, a Bing-versus-Google reflection and a full OSINT trail, so planning the table layout and keeping the evidence concise matters. Check that each operator still works in Bing today, mark at least two Bing-only ones, and record the exact search strings and sources behind every Question 2 answer.
Our law and criminal investigation assignment help supports postgraduate fraud and e-crime students, and our academic report writing help can sharpen your structure and referencing. You can also see a UCD social justice brief, the SSJ30080 / EQUL40310 UCD assignment.
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