Geolocation and chronolocation answer two critical questions about media: where was it captured, and when? This module covers the techniques that OSINT analysts use to place content in space and time.
Geolocation Techniques
Landmark ID
Identify buildings, monuments, signs, road markings, vegetation, and terrain features visible in the content. Cross-reference with maps and street-level imagery.
Shadow Analysis
Shadow direction and length reveal the sun's position, which corresponds to specific times and locations. Tools like SunCalc calculate sun position for any place and time.
Satellite Comparison
Compare ground-level content with satellite imagery from Google Earth, Sentinel Hub, or Planet Labs to confirm location claims.
Chronolocation Methods
Determining when content was created uses multiple evidence types: sun position, weather conditions, seasonal vegetation, construction progress, event context, and metadata timestamps.
| Method | Precision | Data Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow analysis | ±30 minutes | SunCalc, NOAA Solar Calculator |
| Weather matching | ±1 day | Historical weather databases |
| Vegetation state | ±2-4 weeks | Seasonal plant databases |
| Construction progress | ±months | Satellite imagery timeline |
Tools of the Trade
Professional geolocators use Google Earth Pro for satellite imagery and terrain analysis, SunCalc for solar position calculations, Sentinel Hub for historical satellite data, and Mapillary or Google Street View for ground-level comparison. These free tools, combined with systematic methodology, can verify or debunk location claims with high confidence.
Pro Tip
Start with the most distinctive features. A unique building is more useful than a generic road. Work from large-scale features (mountain ranges, coastlines) to small-scale (street signs, shop names) to narrow your search area efficiently.
Geolocation is the capstone of Media Verification. It draws on OSINT for Media foundations and complements Video Verification Techniques.