Looking for a location through OSINT? Just ask!
If we want to find a location based on an image, Reverse Image Search is a proven method. Reverse Image Search allows users to upload images or parts of images to a search engine or specific tool, which will then find similar images and relevant information on the web. This can work quickly and with the right resources it is very effective. However, there may be times when uploading an image to an external service is not desirable. A reason could be confidentiality, perhaps the specific content of the image or risk of damage in general. That's where an advanced AI model like ChatGPT can be very helpful as an alternative or complement. Of course, success depends on asking the right questions. Through contextual understanding and in-depth knowledge, ChatGPT can help refine searches and get more relevant results faster.
An example:
We are looking for information about the building and the exact location of this photo:
If we look closely at the photo, we can see that this is most likely a hospital. The sign above the entrance with the word 'Hospital' and the ambulance in front of the door confirm our suspicions. The ambulance also indicates that it is a Spanish-speaking location. We therefore start with our question in Spain.
We ask the following question using ChatGPT:
Which hospital in Spain has Urgencia or Urgencias above the main entrance?
Answer ChatGPT:
“It can be difficult to find specific details about hospitals in Spain, especially when it comes to signs above the main entrance. Many hospitals in Spain have the word "Urgencias" above the entrance to indicate where the emergency department is located. This is a common feature in hospitals around the world.
An example of a hospital where this could occur is the Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid. It has an emergency department so the word "Urgencias" above the main entrance could be appropriate. However, without specific details about which hospital you are referring to, it is difficult to give an exact answer. It can therefore be useful to search for images or specific information about the hospital you are looking for”
A quick search for this hospital indeed shows that this is not the location in the photo. Our question will therefore have to be more specific to get better results.
We again ask ChatGPT the following, more specific, question:
Which hospital in Spain has a light and dark brown colored building and a clock above the main entrance?
Answer ChatGPT:
“The Hospital Civil de Málaga, also known as Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, has a light and dark brown colored building with a clock above the main entrance. This historic hospital complex is located in the city of Málaga, in the Andalusia region, Spain.
The hospital complex consists of several buildings, and one of the buildings does indeed have a clock above the main entrance. This building is known as the "Pabellón de Administración" or Administration Pavilion.
Address: Hospital Civil de Málaga Plaza del Hospital Civil, s/n 29009 Málaga Spain”
A check search via Google Maps indeed confirms that this is the location you are looking for. There are of course several methods for finding a location, but combining techniques such as Reverse Image Search and AI models such as ChatGPT can result in faster and more complete results. Some practical applications are:
- Identification of unknown objects or locations.
- Find related products or similar images.
- Obtain additional information about images, such as context, history, or cultural significance.
Conclusion
ChatGPT provides a valuable addition to Reverse Image Search by asking the right questions and adding context to searches. This combination of technologies opens up new possibilities for exploring and understanding visual information on the Internet. These developments are a very valuable addition to the working methods and tooling of the OSINT researcher.
If you would like to learn more about OSINT search methods, follow one of our OSINT training courses.