Essential Databases for Investigative Journalists

Spotlight on Aleph

In today's interconnected world, researchers and journalists need powerful tools to search across data that would otherwise be siloed. Several databases provide these capabilities, making it easier to uncover hidden connections and track assets. Here are some of the most important international and U.S.-focused search databases for investigative journalists:

International Search Databases

·         Aleph by OCCRP: Aleph is a powerful tool that allows journalists to search across a wide array of databases. It is particularly useful for uncovering connections between people and companies, making it an essential resource for investigative work. Visit Aleph at aleph.occrp.org

·         Offshore Leaks Database by ICIJ: This database provides access to information about offshore entities and the people connected to them. It's invaluable for investigating tax havens and offshore financial activity. Visit Offshore Leaks Database at offshoreleaks.icij.org

·         OpenSanctions: OpenSanctions compiles data on international sanctions targets, making it easier to track individuals and entities that are subject to financial restrictions. Visit OpenSanctions at opensanctions.org

·         StAR Asset Recovery Watch Database by World Bank: This database tracks efforts by prosecution authorities worldwide to recover assets stemming from corruption. It is crucial for following the legal actions taken against corrupt officials and the assets they control. Visit StAR Asset Recovery Watch at star.worldbank.org/asset-recovery-watch-database

·         LittleSis: LittleSis is a free database that tracks the relationships between influential people and organizations. It is especially useful for understanding the networks of power in business and government. Visit LittleSis at littlesis.org

U.S.-Focused Databases

·         Public Accountability Initiative: This database focuses on accountability and transparency in the U.S. It tracks the influence of powerful institutions and individuals in politics and business. Visit Public Accountability Initiative at publicaccountability.org

·         OpenSecrets: OpenSecrets is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics. It provides detailed information on campaign contributions, lobbying data, and the financial activities of politicians. Visit OpenSecrets at opensecrets.org

·         OpenCorporates: This database provides open data on corporate entities, making it easier to track the activities of companies and their connections to other entities. Visit OpenCorporates at opencorporates.com

·         ProPublica Nonprofits Explorer: This tool provides data on the finances and operations of nonprofit organizations in the U.S., making it easier to investigate charitable organizations and their activities. Visit Nonprofits Explorer at projects.propublica.org/nonprofits

·         Google Journalist Studio: Google’s suite of tools for journalists includes Pinpoint, which helps in analyzing large volumes of documents and identifying key points of interest. Visit Journalist Studio at journaliststudio.google.com

Spotlight on Aleph

Aleph is a standout tool in this landscape, offering robust capabilities for cross-referencing people and companies across various databases. This is crucial for uncovering hidden connections and tracking assets. Key features of Aleph include:

·         Extracting Key Identifiers: Aleph can extract key identifiers like names, phone numbers, and addresses from its own records as well as from user-uploaded documents. This helps in identifying crucial details across different data sources.

·         Organizing Documents: Researchers can organize documents in a personal workspace tailored to specific investigative needs. This feature allows for better management and retrieval of important information.

·         Handling Large Volumes of Data: Aleph is especially beneficial when dealing with large volumes of documents. It can extract and index data, making it easier to search and analyze massive datasets.

·         Personal Workspace: The ability to upload documents to a personal workspace and organize them according to specific investigative needs makes Aleph a powerful tool for detailed and complex investigations.

Use Cases for Aleph

Aleph is particularly useful for researching politically exposed persons (PEPs), foreign entities with potentially illicit ties, and international connections. It’s ideal for:

·         Investigating Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs): Aleph helps in identifying and tracking PEPs and their assets, which is crucial for anti-corruption investigations.

·         Exploring Foreign Entities: Aleph's extensive database includes information on foreign entities, making it easier to investigate companies and individuals operating internationally.

·         Cross-Referencing Data: Aleph allows researchers to cross-reference names and entities within its databases, revealing hidden connections and networks.

Investigative Workspaces

Investigative workspaces are vital for researching PEPs. These online services allow researchers to:

·         Upload Numerous Files: Researchers can upload a large number of files to a single platform, facilitating better organization and access to data.

·         Automatic Text Recognition: The platform automatically recognizes text and extracts data such as names and places from the uploaded files, making it easier to identify relevant information.

·         Cross-Referencing Data: The workspace can find and highlight the same data points across different files, such as a name appearing in multiple documents.

Key platforms offering investigative workspaces include:

·         ICIJ's Datashare: This platform allows journalists to share and analyze data collaboratively, enhancing the depth of their investigations. Visit ICIJ's Datashare at datashare.icij.org

·         Aleph: Aleph's investigative workspace feature enables users to upload, organize, and search documents efficiently. Explore Aleph's Workspace at aleph.occrp.org

·         Google Pinpoint: Pinpoint helps journalists by organizing and analyzing large volumes of documents, identifying key points of interest, and extracting relevant information. Visit Google Pinpoint at journaliststudio.google.com

Practical Application

I often upload three types of documents to an investigative workspace:

1.      Social Media Friends Lists: These lists are excellent for identifying social connections and indirect ties, such as a target person's spouse being friends with a person of interest.

2.      News Articles: Smaller or expatriate-run news sources often provide valuable insights into local and international topics. These articles are essential for gathering background information and context.

3.      Corporate Documents: Combining corporate registrations with news articles and social media lists helps bridge the gap between professional and social spheres, revealing a more comprehensive picture of the subject under investigation.

By using these tools and techniques, journalists can uncover intricate networks and gain deeper insights into their subjects, enhancing the impact and depth of their investigative work.

The following ais a user that borrows heavily from Aleph’s documentation

User Guide: How to Use OCCRP Aleph for Investigative Research

Introduction

Aleph is a powerful data platform developed by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). It brings together a vast archive of current and historic databases, documents, leaks, and investigations. Aleph is designed to help journalists and investigators uncover connections, find stolen funds, spot political influence, and unveil corruption. This guide will walk you through the essential features and functionalities of Aleph, enabling you to effectively use the platform in your investigative work.

Geographic Focus

Aleph is particularly focused on:

• Central and Eastern Europe

• Sub-Saharan Africa

• South America

• Various offshore jurisdictions

Key Features and Functionalities

Typical Search

Aleph's search capabilities are robust and flexible, allowing you to filter, refine, and export search results efficiently.

Filtering Results

You can filter your search results by various criteria, such as:

• Country

• Data type (e.g., document, company entity, web page, image, video)

• Entity type (e.g., person, company, bank account)

• Specific datasets

• Language

• Date

• Contact information (e.g., phone numbers, email addresses)

To access these filters, use the left-hand side menu after executing a search.

Exporting Search Results

To export search results:

1. Click on the "Export" button at the top center of the screen.

2. The export process will begin, and depending on the number of search results, it may take some time to complete.

Advanced Search

For more refined searches, use the "Advanced Search" button on the right of the search bar. Features include:

• Spelling Variations: Increase the fuzziness of a search to capture similar spellings (e.g., "Wladimir~2" will return "Wladimir," "Wladimyr," "Vladimyr").

• Proximity Searches: Find terms in proximity to each other.

• Transliteration: Search for names written in different languages or scripts.

Entities and Relationships

Aleph allows you to explore detailed data about various entities, such as:

• Persons

• Companies

• Assets

• Vessels

• Contracts

• Events

• Bank accounts

Entities in Aleph can have properties (e.g., a person’s full name, date of birth, ID number) and relationships (e.g., a payment between two people, the ownership of a company).

Cross-Referencing

Aleph organizes datasets following a specific data model, enabling cross-referencing. This allows you to:

• Compare entities across different datasets.

• Identify leads and patterns.

Investigative Workspaces

Investigative workspaces in Aleph enable you to upload, edit, and organize data or documents related to a project or topic of interest. Common uploads include:

• Social media friends lists

• News articles

• Corporate documents

Combining these documents helps bridge gaps between professional and social connections.

Text Extraction

Aleph can extract text from images and PDF files using optical character recognition (OCR), allowing you to search for key terms in otherwise difficult-to-search files. It can identify and extract:

• Names

• Phone numbers

• Addresses

• Emails

When to Use Aleph

Researchers should use Aleph when they need to cross-reference people and companies across a wide array of databases, which is crucial for uncovering hidden connections and tracking assets. Aleph is especially beneficial when dealing with large volumes of documents, as it can extract key identifiers like names and phone numbers from both its records and user-uploaded documents. The ability to upload documents to a personal workspace and organize them according to specific investigative needs makes Aleph a powerful tool for detailed and complex investigations.

However, Aleph may not be suitable for tasks that require real-time data analysis or for research focused on areas outside its primary geographic focus. Additionally, while Aleph is excellent for deep-dive investigations requiring cross-referencing and entity tracking, it might be overkill for simpler, less data-intensive inquiries where a basic search engine or simpler database might suffice.

Using Investigative Workspaces

Creating an Investigative Workspace

1. Navigate to the Investigative Workspace section.

2. Follow the instructions to create a new workspace.

   • URL: https://docs.aleph.occrp.org/users/investigations/create/

Uploading Documents

1. Click on the "Upload" button within your workspace.

2. Select the documents you want to upload.

   • URL: https://docs.aleph.occrp.org/users/investigations/uploading-documents/

Creating Entities

You can create entities (e.g., persons, companies) and cross-reference them within Aleph.

• Individually: Use the entity editor.

  • URL: https://docs.aleph.occrp.org/users/investigations/entity-editor/

• Bulk Upload: Upload a list of entities from a spreadsheet.

  • URL: https://docs.aleph.occrp.org/users/investigations/cross-referencing/

Network Diagrams

Network diagrams allow you to illustrate webs of people, companies, and other entities in a visual format. This helps visualize data and connections.

• URL: https://docs.aleph.occrp.org/users/investigations/network-diagrams/

Summary

Aleph is an invaluable tool for investigative journalists and researchers, offering comprehensive data management, advanced search capabilities, and powerful analytical features. By following this guide, you can effectively leverage Aleph’s functionalities to uncover connections, track assets, and unveil corruption. For more detailed instructions and resources, refer to the Aleph User Guide at https://docs.aleph.occrp.org/users/.