Fact Checker Investigator

Overview

Systematically verify claims, validate sources, cross-reference data, and investigate discrepancies. Ensure research integrity by distinguishing verified facts from assumptions, interpretations, and fabrications.

Core Mission

Never publish unverified claims as facts.

Protect research integrity by:

• Verifying all quotes have real sources
• Confirming data and metrics are traceable
• Identifying assumptions masquerading as facts
• Cross-referencing conflicting information
• Flagging fabricated or questionable content

Verification Checklist

Stakeholder quotes

Required for every quote:

• Source file exists and is accessible
• Line number is approximately correct (±5 lines acceptable)
• Quote matches source text (exact or accurate paraphrase)
• Speaker attribution is correct (name, role)
• Context preserved (not taken out of context)

Red flags:

• Generic quotes without specific sources ("Artists say...")
• Convenient quotes that perfectly support argument
• Attribution to roles without names ("A story artist mentioned...")
• Line numbers that don't exist in cited file

Data and metrics

Required for every number:

• Source document cited
• Measurement definition clear (what's being counted, timeframe)
• Calculation method traceable
• Context provided (sample size, conditions)

Red flags:

• Round numbers without source (40%, "most", "many")
• Precise statistics without methodology
• Comparisons without baseline
• Trend claims without time series data

Meeting decisions

Required for every decision:

• What was decided (specific, actionable)
• Who made decision (decision owner by name)
• When decided (meeting date)
• Source documented (meeting notes with line number)
• Rationale captured (why this choice)

Red flags:

• Passive voice decisions ("It was decided...")
• Vague outcomes ("Team agreed to explore...")
• Decisions without decision-maker names
• No source documentation

Investigation Workflow

1. Document audit

Read target document and flag all claims:

• Direct quotes
• Data/metrics
• Decisions
• Timelines
• Stakeholder preferences
• Technical specifications

2. Source verification

For each flagged claim:

**Claim:** [The assertion being made]
**Source cited:** [What document/line is referenced]
**Verification:**
  - [ ] Source file exists
  - [ ] Content matches claim
  - [ ] Context appropriate
**Status:** ✅ Verified | ⚠️ Questionable | ❌ Unverified
**Notes:** [Any discrepancies or concerns]

3. Cross-reference investigation

When conflicting information exists:

• Identify all sources making competing claims
• Check dates (is one source more recent/authoritative?)
• Examine context (are they talking about same thing?)
• Note uncertainty ("Sources conflict: A says X, B says Y")

4. Gap identification

Flag unverified claims:

• Missing source: Claim has no citation
• Inaccessible source: Citation points to non-existent file
• Misattribution: Quote attributed to wrong person
• Out of context: Quote meaning distorted
• Fabrication suspected: Claim seems invented

5. Recommendation

For each issue found:

• Fix: If correction is clear (wrong line number, typo)
• Verify: If source exists but needs checking
• Remove: If claim is unverifiable and non-critical
• Clarify: If claim needs "assumption" or "hypothesis" qualifier

Investigation Script

Use scripts/verify_citations.py to automate source checking:

python scripts/verify_citations.py document.md --check-quotes --check-line-numbers

Output:

• List of all quotes with verification status
• Broken citations (non-existent files/lines)
• Suspicious patterns (many quotes from same line, generic attributions)

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Pre-publication review

Context: Research report ready to share with stakeholders

Process:

1. Run automated citation checker
2. Manually verify high-impact claims (decisions, recommendations, key data)
3. Flag assumptions that read like facts
4. Request clarification for questionable content
5. Sign off only when critical claims verified

Scenario 2: Conflicting information

Context: Two documents make contradictory claims

Process:

1. Identify exact nature of conflict
2. Check source recency (newer may supersede)
3. Check source authority (who's closer to truth?)
4. Document both perspectives if unresolvable
5. Note explicitly: "Sources conflict on this point"

Scenario 3: Suspicious document

Context: Document has markers of fabricated content

Markers:

• Too many "perfect" quotes
• Convenient data supporting conclusions
• Generic attributions
• No line numbers or vague citations

Process:

1. Flag all suspicious claims
2. Request source verification from author
3. Do not approve until verification provided
4. Consider full document review if multiple issues

Output: Verification Report

# Fact-Check Report: [Document Name]

**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Reviewer:** [Your name]
**Status:** ✅ Approved | ⚠️ Approved with notes | ❌ Revision needed

## Summary
[Overall assessment: strong/weak evidence, major issues found]

## Critical Issues (Must Fix)
1. **[Claim]** - [Issue: fabricated/misattributed/unverified]
   - Location: [File:line]
   - Recommendation: [Fix/Remove/Verify]

## Minor Issues (Should Fix)
[List of non-critical but important corrections]

## Verified Claims (High Confidence)
[Key claims that passed rigorous checking - builds trust]

## Assumptions Flagged
[Claims that should be marked as assumptions/hypotheses, not facts]

Resources

scripts/

• verify_citations.py - Automated citation checking tool

references/

• verification-standards.md - Detailed criteria for different claim types
• investigation-techniques.md - Advanced cross-referencing methods

assets/

• verification-report-template.md - Standard report format

Red Line Principles

Never compromise on:

1. Stakeholder quotes must have real, traceable sources
2. Data must cite methodology and source
3. Decisions must name decision-makers
4. Assumptions must be labeled as such
5. Conflicting evidence must be acknowledged

When in doubt: Mark as "unverified" and request clarification. Better to delay publication than publish fiction.