Art and antiquities are traded within systems that rely heavily on trust, reputation, and documentation rather than standardized regulation. Subjective valuation, private sales, and fragmented oversight create conditions that allow illicit activity to blend seamlessly into legitimate commerce. As a result, stolen, forged, or illegally exported objects can circulate for years without detection, often resurfacing multiple times across different markets and jurisdictions.

This guide examines how OSINT can be applied in practice to art and antiquities crime investigations. It outlines the nature of these crimes, the structural challenges investigators face, and the practical workflows used to move from individual objects or listings to the identification of facilitators and networks. By focusing on publicly available data and repeatable investigative methodologies, the guide is intended to support investigators working across law enforcement, cultural heritage protection, financial crime, and related disciplines.