Sources & Evidence
Where our information comes from and how we evaluate it.
Sources & Evidence
Where our information comes from and how we evaluate it.
Primary vs Secondary Sources
We distinguish between three tiers of sources. This matters because the type of source directly affects the confidence grade we assign to a facility claim. Not all evidence carries the same weight.
Direct evidence from official government channels. These carry the highest evidentiary weight.
- FOIA returns and releases
- Declassified government documents
- Official agency statements
- Public Congressional records
- Court filings and legal documents
Highest confidence weight
Professional analysis and reporting on primary materials. Valuable corroboration when multiple sources agree.
- Credible news investigations
- Peer-reviewed academic research
- Documented expert analysis
- GAO and CRS reports
- Contractor public filings
Medium confidence weight
Unverified accounts and anecdotal evidence. These are documented but always labeled Unverified.
- Eyewitness personal accounts
- Local community reports
- Online forum discussions
- Unverified social media claims
- Historical anecdote
Cannot confirm alone
Key Public Records Sources
These are the primary databases and portals we use to research underground facilities. All are freely accessible to the public.
FOIA.gov
Official federal FOIA portal. Submit requests, track status, and access released records.
USASpending.gov
Federal spending data including contracts, grants, and financial assistance awards.
SAM.gov
System for Award Management. Federal procurement opportunities and contract data.
National Archives
Declassified documents, historical records, and government archives.
Congressional Research Service
Nonpartisan research reports on policy issues prepared for Congressional members.
GAO
Government Accountability Office. Audits, evaluations, and investigative reports.
Understanding FOIA Documents
FOIA returns can look intimidating, but once you understand the common markings and patterns, they're readable. Here's what to look for.
What Redaction Marks Mean
Black bars (█) indicate removed text. When agencies redact information, they're required to indicate which exemption applies. Look for:
- b(1) — Exemption 1: Classified information
- b(2) — Internal personnel rules and practices
- b(3) — Withheld under other statutory provisions
- b(6) — Personal privacy
- b(7) — Law enforcement records
Identifying Which Exemption Was Invoked
Most agencies use a cover letter or "Vaughn index" to explain their redactions. Key indicators:
- Cover pages usually list exemptions with brief descriptions
- Individual redaction markers like b(1), b(7) appear near each redaction
- Heavy use of b(1) near "TOP SECRET" markings indicates classified programs
- Frequent b(7) use in operational documents suggests law enforcement sensitivity
How to Read Contract Documents
Government contracts reveal construction and service activities. Key fields to examine:
- NAICS codes — Industry classification indicating the type of work
- Place of performance — Where work is actually being done
- Contractor name — Identifies the company performing work
- Description/PARS — Specific details about work scope
Interpreting Budget Line Items
Defense and military budgets use specific terminology. Look for:
- Program Element codes — Budget line identifiers tied to specific programs
- R-1 Exhibit — Detailed budget justification documents
- "Construction" vs "O&M" — Capital investment versus operations and maintenance
- Classified appendices — Often contain the actual funding levels for sensitive programs
Imagery and Digital Evidence
Photographs, satellite imagery, and web content require their own verification methods. Here's how we evaluate digital evidence.
Satellite Imagery Verification
- Cross-reference coordinates against multiple mapping services
- Use historical imagery to establish timeline of construction
- Verify imagery source and resolution quality
- Compare against independent analyst findings
Metadata Verification
- Check EXIF data for original capture date and device
- Verify GPS coordinates embedded in image metadata
- Note any edits or modifications to original file
- Reverse image search to find original source
Web Source Archiving
Web content can disappear or change. We archive sources to preserve evidence:
All web sources cited on this site include archived copies.
Chain of Custody
For submitted materials, we document the chain of custody:
- Record submitter identity and contact information
- Timestamp submission date and receipt confirmation
- Preserve original file with integrity hash
- Note any access restrictions or confidentiality