This study investigates the structure of darknet forums dedicated to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and identifies key players using both public replies and private messaging networks. Analyzing data from two large-scale forums, the researchers compare the structures of these networks and assess the bias introduced by relying solely on public communications for identifying key players. Findings reveal a limited overlap between users active in public and private communications, but suggest that prioritizing investigations based on public postings alone is reasonably accurate, although individuals central to private communications may also be of interest to law enforcement.

Frederic M. Gnielka, Rebecca Reichel, Arjan Blokland, Anton Daser, Meike de Boer, Colm Gannon, Alexander F. Schmidt, Thomas Schäfer, Salla Huikuri, Katarzyna Staciwa, Robert J. B. Lehmann