Chapter 1. Fundamentals of Evidence Analysis

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Basic Issues
1.1    Analysis & mindset            
1.2    Completeness of research
1.3    Conclusions: hypothesis, theory & proof
1.4    Fact vs. assertion or claim
1.5    Family-history standards
1.6    Levels of confidence
1.7    Objectivity
1.8    Presentism
1.9    Quantity vs. quality
1.10    Technical knowledge
1.11    Truth                

Classes of Evidence
1.12    Generic labels            
1.13    Legal terminology
1.14    Process map for evidence analysis
1.15    Proof arguments

Problematic Concepts
1.16    Definitive sources
1.17    Direct Sources
1.18    Final conclusions
1.19    Indirect sources
1.20    The name’s the same rule
1.21    Three sources rule

Processed Records (Formats)
1.22    Abstracts vs. extracts
1.23    Databases & indexes
1.24    Duplicate copies
1.25    Duplicate originals (counterparts)            
1.26    Image copies
1.27    Record copies (aka clerk’s copies)
1.28    Transcriptions vs. translations    
1.29    Transcriptions, edited

Textual Criticism
1.30    Authenticty & credibility
1.31    Certification & certificates
1.32    Content    
1.33    Creator’s veracity & skill
1.34    Informant’s purpose & reliability
1.35    Language characteristics
1.36    Material characteristics
1.37    Penmanship
1.38    Record’s custodial history
1.39    Record’s degree of processing
1.40    Record’s timeliness
1.41    Source description