UFO CASE SHORTHAND KEY and CRITERIA

Sources of identifications - used ONLY after feasibility check (all of the below):

1. It must fit the facts (allowing for witness size/distance error).
2. It must have been possible at the time of the sighting (no airplanes before 1903).
3. It must not exceed capabilities of the objects or phenomena used (no 500 mi/hr birds).
4. There must be no change in the identification without new evidence.

Identification criteria used for these listings:

• Criteria used for listing a case as "SOLVED." Any one of them is sufficient.
  1. It is demonstrated what the object was.
  2. Identification is clear from the description given.
  3. Identification is clear except, for witness statements pertaining to:
     • Estimated size
     • Estimated distance away
     • Estimated altitude
     • Estimated speed
     • Assumed motion due to autokinesis or the radial motion effect
     • Other assumptions made by the witness
     • Sounds heard or not heard
     • Odors noticed or not noticed
  4. The UFO report is admitted as a hoax ($H$ mark).
  5. A prankster admits staging a UFO or evidence for others to see ($P$ mark).
  6. Evidence of a prank or hoax is uncovered.
  7. A witness repeatedly makes changes in the story (!! mark).
  8. The cause for a physical effect is found.
  9. Conflicting facts are in the report (!! mark).
  10. Inconsistencies are found in a photo:
      • UFO focus differs from background (not motion blur - @@ mark)
      • The lighting on the UFO does not match background lighting
      • Impossible lighting conditions
      • Inconsistent shadows
      • The perspective in the photo is faulty
      • Photometry indicates a small object close to the camera
      • A support for a small model is discovered
      • An object identical to the object in the photo is found
      • A discontinuity indicating double exposure or window reflection is found
      • A failed flashbulb made a photo of room lights
      • Evidence of a time exposure is found where not reported
      • Evidence of tampering is found
      • UFO grain differs from background grain
      • The UFO displays halftone alias when the photo is photocopied or scanned
      • The story does not match the photos (!! mark)
      • The frame number sequence does not match the story (!! mark)
      • The location of the photo does not match the story (!! mark)
      • The date or time the photo was taken does not match the story (!! mark)
      • The surrounding frames on the roll do not match the sighting date (!! mark)
      • The camera has to be in an unusual or impossible location
      • The image is inverted or reverted compared to other images on the roll
      • Any other photo in a series is proven to be fake
• Criteria used for listing as "PARTIALLY EVALUATED." Any one is sufficient.
  1. It is demonstrated that a known object or effect is possible.
  2. One fact in the story is not explained by the theory.
  3. The story is so vague that no positive identification is possible.
  4. Object is recognized, except no such object was known to be in the area.
  5. No other witnesses where there should be many.
  6. Angular size is doubtful as reported.
  7. A witness changes the story once.
  8. Reported angular size, distance, altitude, and elevation do not agree.
  9. The UFO report is inconsistent with itself.
  10. Two or more explanations fit the report well (can't tell which).
  11. Inconsistencies are found in a photo:
      • UFO focus differs from background slightly
      • The lighting on the UFO does not match background lighting
      • Transparent UFO could indicate double exposure, reflection, or object movement
      • Photometrically possible unusually lighted small object close to the camera
      • The story differs from the photos
      • An object similar to the object in the photo is found
      • Photographic defects are found in the frame
      • Reported camera settings do not match the photo or lighting conditions
      • The UFO displays possible halftone alias when the photo is photocopied or scanned
      • Any other photo in a series fits any of the "partially evaluated" criteria
• Criteria used for listing as "NOT YET SOLVED." All must be present. This is a list of exceptional cases with no plausible solution, not just an unsolved case list.
  1. No plausible hypothesis has been proposed by anyone.
  2. Multiple documentation.
  3. Documented chain of evidence of the report (no secret source).
  4. The story is quite coherent and detailed.
  5. No psychological instabilities are found in a witness.
  6. Witnesses made no attempts at gaining profit from the event.
  7. No inconsistencies in the story or evidence.
  8. Any photos pass all scrutiny.
  9. No legal barriers to publication exist.
  10. The only standing hypotheses are of totally unproven nature:
      • Extraterrestrials or other alien life forms
      • Secret technology
      • Hypnosis-induced experience
      • Supernatural, ESP, satanic, or other occult experience
      • Hallucination, dream, or other unreal experience, where not medically indicated
      • Earthlight
      • Laws of physics broken
      • Undocumented prank played on witness
      • Undocumented hoaxed statement or materials by witness
      • Undocumented criminal or clandestine activity
• Criteria used for not listing a sighting. Any one is sufficient.
  1. Page author has no knowledge of the sighting.
  2. Not enough details to evaluate (only terse accounts).
  3. A photo with no account of its photography and no obvious solution.
  4. Page author hasn't had time to examine the sighting.
  5. The story is so vague that no tentative identification is possible.
  6. The witness requested the details of date/location not be revealed by page author.
  7. The photos have not yet been obtained by page author.
  8. The occurrence of the sighting is in doubt (no reliable report found).
  9. A criminal act is still under investigation (request not to tip off).
  10. A lawsuit is pending in the case.
  11. Only one source, where only hypotheses of totally unproven nature remain:
      • Extraterrestrials or other alien life forms
      • Secret technology
      • Hypnosis-induced experience
      • Supernatural, ESP, satanic, or other occult experience
      • Hallucination, dream, or other unreal experience, where not medically indicated
      • Earthlight
      • Laws of physics broken
      • Undocumented prank played on witness
      • Undocumented hoaxed statement or materials by witness
      • Undocumented criminal or clandestine activity

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