1.
It
is necessary that we maintain our objectivity as we investigate these six
cases. Part of this process is to evaluate the reliability of evidence.
2.
To
assist in ranking it’s reliability, evidence used in this study is considered
in three categories:
A.
Recorded
Evidence.
The term “recorded evidence” is used in this report to refer to written
statements or reports recorded officially by persons involved in this incident
or by official agencies investigating the case.
B.
Anecdotal
Evidence.
The term “anecdotal evidence” is used in this report to refer to verbal or written accounts of the
incident given by persons involved but not recorded in official documents.
Such accounts may have been used to produce novels or written histories. Two
sub-categories exist:
o
Published
Evidence.
To a considerable extent these sources rely on memory of individuals and the
interpretation of various other sources by the author. In some cases recorded
evidence is used as an input. In cases where evidence other that recorded
evidence is used, and because of the time between the event and the capture of
information by the author, consideration must be given to memory loss and
distortion of the facts by the source when ascribing a degree of reliability to
such evidence. The basic rule is "GET IT IN WRITING, AS NEAR TO THE EVENT AS POSSIBLE."
This may mean getting hold of the source document itself, as opposed to accepting in it's
entirity that which has been published
o
Raw
Evidence.
Raw evidence is that which is in the form of records of various telephone
conversations, e-mails and letters originated recently and relying primarily on
the memory of Individuals concerned. Again, consideration must be given to
memory loss and distortion of the facts by the source when ascribing a degree
of reliability to such evidence.
C.
Hearsay. Hearsay evidence is evidence that has been
passed verbally to other parties and relayed to the author. Considerable care
is required in the use of such evidence and it must be considered the most
unreliable type of input. Its main value is in the indication of lines of
investigation. The use of hearsay evidence must be minimised in this study.
3.
Evidence is
required as to what may have happened to the remains of these men from since they were
last seen up until the present day. The facts regarding incident itself is important, but
so are the facts as to what may have happened to the remains of these men during the intervening years.
Remember the aim of OPERATION AUSSIES HOME.
In short we should focus on the case, not the incident alone.
In addition, evidence regarding the (perceived) shortcomings of previous
efforts is useful to the extent that it may reveal information of which we
are not currently aware.