This Training Information paper deals with possible, definite, or not-applicable sources for UFO sightings. It also provides a checklist for the sighting evaluation based on all the information in the report. Used initially as a training aid, copies made of these checklists were designed to be used in each case investigation as part of the final report.
SOURCE TESTS
These two checklists, Natural Source and Man-Made Source, are used to try to identify
the sighting and later becomes part of the evaluation record. Due to the lack of
space in these forms the appropriate items should be simply checked, then expanded
on in the "Comments" portion of the report.
SIGHTING EVALUATION
This form provides a checklist and is the result of the overall analysis of the
data collected by the FI. It also becomes part of the final report.
COMMENTS OF INVESTIGATOR
Besides the three pages mentioned above, the final report includes an additional
report whereby the person completing the case record can add his/her comments. This
is referred to as "Comments of the Investigator". For simpler cases the comments
are usually brief. For more complicated or detailed cases the comments are more
extensive. It includes comments about the possible cause of the sighting if the
sighting may be explainable or reasons why the case remains unexplained. Many of
these comments are recorded in letters and notes during the investigation. However,
it is suggested that comments be re-capped in a separate report. The investigator
should list his comments regarding the possibility or lack thereof of certain stimulus
for the sighting based on the Source Test. Special note needs to be made concerning
reported sounds noticed during the observation of the UFO. A witness in an unfamiliar
area may detect a sound from one source and a visual observation from another source,
both identifiable in prosaic terms. Or the object may be unidentified and the sound
associated with a nearby, but invisible, power transformer or air conditioner, etc.
The investigator should describe where the interrogation took place and who was
present, names of other witnesses, etc. This would include who assisted in the investigation.
The investigator should give his assessment of the observer(s) or report reliability.
The observer may be sincere, but not be able to explain the particulars of the case
properly or in terms that are usable to the investigator. His/her report may be
too brief or lacking clarity for a determination to be made. A good example is where
the witness only answers the questions with brief statements or simply a yes or
no. A good witness is a credible person who tries to give as much detail and accurate
information as possible.
Case Name ______________________ Date of Incident _______________________
FI In Charge ____________________________________________________________
SOURCE TEST, Page One
This form, which needs to be attached to the final report itself, is a checklist of what natural objects were considered in an effort to identify the stimulus for the reported UFO. The reasons for rejecting or suspecting the possible stimulus, should be clearly noted. The not applicable items can be left blank. Use right side of form or separate sheets for notes.
NATURAL SOURCE:
1. ORGANIC SOURCE, TERRESTRIAL ( ) a. Animal ( ) b. Bird, Reptile ( ) c. Insect
( ) d. By-Product (spider webs, seeds)
2. INORGANIC SOURCE, TERRESTRIAL ( ) a. Adverse Weather (whirlwind) ( ) b. Atmospheric (clouds, moondogs) ( ) c. Lightning (ball, bolt, heat) ( ) d. Swamp Gas ( ) e. Other (debris, mirage)
3. INORGANIC SOURCE, TRANSTERRESTRIAL ( ) a. Bolides ( ) b. Meteorites/Meteors
4. INORGANIC SOURCE, EXTRATERRESTRIAL ( ) a. Comets ( ) b. Moon ( ) c. Planet(s) ( ) d. Star(s) ( ) e. Sun
5. OTHER (explain)
This form, which needs to be attached to the final report itself, is a checklist of what man-made objects were considered in an effort to identify the stimulus for the reported UFO. The reasons for rejecting or suspecting the possible stimulus, should be clearly noted. The not applicable items can be left blank. Use right side of form or separate sheets for notes.
MAN-MADE SOURCE:
1. AIRCRAFT ( ) a. Advertizing ( ) b. Commercial, Military, Private ( ) c. Other
(blimp, experimental, helicopter)
2. BALLOON ( ) a. Hot Air ( ) b. Weather, Test, Etc. ( ) c. Other (prank, toy, etc.)
3. FIXED STRUCTURES ( ) a. Buildings ( ) b. Lights (ground, search, etc.) ( ) c. Towers (water, power line, radio)
4. HOAX ( ) a. On Witness ( ) b. By Witness
5. MISSILE ( ) a. Chemical (cloud, smoke, etc.) ( ) b. Cruise-type ( ) c. Launch
6. SATELLITE ( ) a. Orbiting (high-altitude) ( ) b. Re-Entry (similar to meteor)
7. OTHER (explain)
The result of the overall analysis of the data collected by the field investigator.
1. Berliner Strangeness Scale:
( ) 0 - Identified as a known object/phenomenon or a report lacking clear UFO
content
( ) 1 - Night light with no apparent object
( ) 2 - Night object
( ) 3 - Daylight object seen at a distance
( ) 4 - Night Close Encounter of the First Kind (within 500')
( ) 5 - Daylight CE-1
( ) 6 - Ambiguous CE-2 (trace, capable of being understood in more than one way)
( ) 7 - Unambiguous CE-2 (apparently only one explanation)
( ) 8 - CE-3 (occupants on or near craft)
( ) 9 - CE-3 (occupant reaction to witness)
( ) 10- CE-3 (with meaningful communication)
2. Berliner Credibility Scale:
( ) 0 - Witness(es) lacking believability
( ) 1 - Single average witness
( ) 2 - Multiple average witness
( ) 3 - Single exceptional witness
( ) 4 - Multiple Exceptional Witnesse
( ) 5 - Radar/visual observation
( ) 6 - Still photo(s) by amateur
( ) 7 - Still photo(s) by professional
( ) 8 - Movie/video by amateur
( ) 9 - Movie/video by professional
( ) 10- Live television
3. Speiser Strangeness Factor:
( ) S1 - Explainable or explained
( ) S2 - Probably explainable with more data
( ) S3 - Possibly explainable, but with elements of strangeness
( ) S4 - Strange; does not conform to known principles
( ) S5 - Highly strange: suggests intelligent guidance
4. Speiser Probability Factor:
( ) P1 - Not credible or sound
( ) P2 - Unreliable witness; possible hoax
( ) P3 - Somewhat credible or indeterminate
( ) P4 - Credible and sound
( ) P5 - Highly credible, leaving almost no doubt
( ) Great Significance
( ) Significant
( ) Limited Merit
( ) Borderline