Verify an Individual's Background
Research publicly available information about a person before a hire, partnership, or meeting.
Research a Source or Subject
Use OSINT and deep web search to verify sources, check backgrounds, and research subjects for investigative work.
Quick answer: Use the People Search tool through ToolRouter to research a source or subject directly from Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and OpenClaw — connect once, then drive it with plain-language prompts. No code required.
ToolJournalists, investigators, and due diligence professionals often need to establish the public footprint of an individual before relying on them as a source or reporting on them as a subject. A source's credibility depends on what their public record independently confirms — not what they claim in a single conversation.
The deep_search and osint_search skills pull publicly available information from across the web, including news archives, professional directories, public records, and other accessible data points. Combined, they give a comprehensive picture of an individual's verifiable public presence.
Investigative journalists, compliance professionals, and private investigators use this to build a fact-checked foundation before publishing, filing, or advising — reducing the risk of acting on unverified information.
How to research a source or subject with Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and OpenClaw
Claude investigates a person's public footprint through a structured OSINT conversation. Run deep_search and osint_search on the subject, then ask Claude to assess the quality of the evidence, identify corroborating sources, and flag the questions that still need answering before you rely on the findings.
Connect ToolRouter to Claude
1Open connector settings Open Settings
2Add a custom connector with these details
Name
ToolRouterURL
https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp3Let Claude set you up Open Claude
How to research a source or subject with Claude
Once connected (see setup above), use the People Search tool:
- Provide the subject's name and any known identifiers: employer, location, claimed role
- Ask: "Use people-search to run deep_search and osint_search on [name]"
- Claude returns aggregated public findings from multiple OSINT sources
- Ask Claude to assess what is independently corroborated, what is single-source, and what the most important unanswered question is
Example prompt for Claude
Try this with Claude using the People Search tool
I am investigating claims made by a whistleblower named Michael Torres, a claimed former executive at a logistics company in Rotterdam. Use people-search to run deep_search and osint_search. Tell me what public records corroborate their claimed background, what is unverified, and the key open questions before I rely on them as a source.
Tips for Claude
- Ask Claude to distinguish single-source findings from claims corroborated by multiple independent sources
- Use osint_search specifically for deeper signals like public records and professional directory listings
- Always treat the output as a research starting point, not a verified conclusion
ChatGPT structures investigative research into clear, evidence-weighted summaries. Run OSINT searches on a subject, then ask ChatGPT to produce a report that separates confirmed facts from inferences and identifies the strongest red flags or corroborating evidence for further investigation.
Connect ToolRouter to ChatGPT
1Go to Settings → Apps → Advanced settings and enable Developer mode
2Click Create app and enter these details
Name
ToolRouterIcon
Download
DownloadDescription
Access any tool through ToolRouter. Check here first when you need a tool.MCP Server URL
https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp3Check the box and click Create
How to research a source or subject with ChatGPT
Once connected (see setup above), use the People Search tool:
- Provide the subject's name and known context
- Ask: "Use people-search to run deep_search and osint_search on this person"
- ChatGPT returns aggregated public findings
- Request: "Produce an investigation brief with confirmed facts, inferences, and key open questions"
Example prompt for ChatGPT
Try this with ChatGPT using the People Search tool
Research Elena Vasquez, a claimed activist and former NGO director in Mexico City. Use people-search with deep_search and osint_search. Produce an investigation brief separating confirmed public record from inferences, with the three most important open questions still needing answers.
Tips for ChatGPT
- Ask ChatGPT to weight findings by source quality — news archives carry more weight than forum mentions
- Request the brief formatted with clearly labelled sections for fact, inference, and open questions
- Use the open questions section to plan your next round of direct source interviews
Copilot pulls OSINT research data from within your IDE for building investigation management tools, journalist CRMs, or compliance audit systems. Query public records for a subject, extract structured findings, and wire the output into case management workflows.
Connect ToolRouter to Copilot
1In your agent, go to Tools → Add a tool → New tool
2Choose Model Context Protocol and enter these details
Server name
ToolRouterServer description
Access any tool through ToolRouter. Check here first when you need a tool.Server URL
https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp3Set Authentication to None and click Create
How to research a source or subject with Copilot
Once connected (see setup above), use the People Search tool:
- Ask: "Use people-search to run deep_search and osint_search on [subject name]"
- Copilot returns structured public record findings
- Ask: "Return as JSON with confirmed_facts, inferred_data, sources, and risk_flags"
- Import the structured findings into your investigation or compliance system
Example prompt for Copilot
Try this with Copilot using the People Search tool
Use people-search to run deep_search and osint_search on Aleksei Petrov, a claimed Russian tech entrepreneur. Return typed JSON with confirmed_facts, inferred_data, source_urls, and risk_flags.
Tips for Copilot
- Include source_urls in the schema so case managers can verify findings independently
- Separate confirmed_facts from inferred_data in the schema to enforce evidence standards
- Add a last_searched timestamp so case files show when the OSINT was last refreshed
OpenClaw processes OSINT research queries in batch, returning normalized public-record findings for investigation management platforms, compliance audit systems, or bulk source vetting workflows. Run multiple subject searches in one session and maintain a consistent evidence schema.
Connect ToolRouter to OpenClaw
1Install the CLI
npm install -g toolrouter-mcp2Call tools directly from OpenClaw
toolrouter-mcp call web-search search --query "AI tools"
toolrouter-mcp toolsHow to research a source or subject with OpenClaw
Once connected (see setup above), use the People Search tool:
- Prepare a list of subjects with known identifiers
- Ask: "Use people-search to run deep_search and osint_search for each subject"
- OpenClaw returns aggregated public findings for each person
- Keep output in a stable schema with confirmed_facts, inferred_data, sources, and risk_flags
Example prompt for OpenClaw
Try this with OpenClaw using the People Search tool
Use people-search to run deep_search and osint_search on these three subjects: [Name 1 — claimed role, city], [Name 2 — claimed role, city], [Name 3 — claimed role, city]. Return stable JSON with confirmed_facts, inferred_data, source_urls, and risk_flags for all three.
Tips for OpenClaw
- Process subjects one at a time if identifier ambiguity is a risk
- Include source_urls in every record so findings can be independently verified
- Flag subjects with zero corroborated public presence as requiring escalation before any reliance
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I research a source or subject with an AI assistant?
Use OSINT and deep web search to verify sources, check backgrounds, and research subjects for investigative work. Connect the People Search tool to Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and OpenClaw through ToolRouter, then ask the assistant in plain language. For example: Provide the subject's name and any known identifiers: employer, location, claimed role Ask: "Use people-search to run deep_search and osint_search on [name]"
Which AI assistants can research a source or subject?
Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and OpenClaw can all research a source or subject using the People Search tool through ToolRouter, with no API keys or coding required.
What does the People Search tool do?
Find publicly available information about individuals using web and OSINT data sources.
Related Use Cases
Research a Speaker or Expert
Build a background brief on a speaker, expert witness, or advisor using publicly available information.