NPR

How Online Sleuths Identified Rioters At The Capitol

The riot appeared to be all chaos and anarchy. But as researchers gave the online video and photos closer scrutiny, they produced forensic evidence that has identified those involved.

The riot at the Capitol appeared to be almost all chaos and anarchy. But as private researchers and ordinary individuals scrutinized online video and photos, they identified some of those who took part and assisted law enforcement.

John Scott-Railton from Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto focused on individuals who seemed to have a real purpose amid the mob — like two men who were spotted with plastic handcuffs that could be used to detain people or take them hostage.

"I kept finding footage of men wearing body armor, communicating with each other and moving with purpose," Scott-Railton

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