investigation-source-trace

Trace claims to their earliest source and reconstruct transmission changes.

212|23|Updated May 23, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/human-avatar/skills-for-humanity --skill investigation-source-trace
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: investigation-source-trace
Source: https://github.com/human-avatar/skills-for-humanity/tree/main/skills/investigation-source-trace
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/human-avatar/skills-for-humanity --skill investigation-source-trace

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

It helps you determine where a claim originally came from and whether the version you heard is faithful to the earliest traceable source.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Claim capture and contexting: Rewrites the claim as received, including who asserted it, in what setting, and at what confidence level.
  • Upstream origin tracing: Searches backward for the earliest publication or statement and flags citation laundering.
  • Transmission-chain analysis: Maps how the claim changed over time (scope expansion, caveat stripping, inversion, or fabrication).
  • Credibility assessment and verdict: Evaluates evidence strength, replication, conflicts of interest, and issues a defensible reformulation.

Quick Start

Run investigation-source-trace with the exact statement you heard and any attribution details you have, then choose how deep to go when prompted.

Frequently Asked Questions about investigation-source-trace

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I trace a rumor back to its original source?▼

To trace a rumor, you capture the exact claim and attribution details, then the tool maps the transmission chain backward to identify the earliest publication, assess source credibility, and output a verdict comparing the original and current meanings.

How does citation laundering affect fact checking?▼

Citation laundering in fact checking occurs when secondary sources obscure the original claim, stripping caveats or inverting meaning; this tool flags such laundering by reconstructing the transmission chain and comparing the current assertion to the earliest traceable evidence.

What is the best way to verify if a studies show summary matches the underlying source?▼

Verifying a studies show summary involves upstream origin tracing to locate the original publication, mapping how the claim changed during transmission, and issuing a credibility assessment comparing the summary to the actual evidence and context.

Can I audit media citations without knowing the original authorship?▼

Yes, you can audit media citations without prior authorship knowledge by inputting the received claim; the tool searches backward for the earliest statement, identifies original authors, and assesses evidence strength to resolve conflicts.

What types of claim mutations can transmission-chain analysis identify?▼

Transmission-chain analysis identifies scope expansion, caveat stripping, meaning inversion, and fabrication by mapping how a claim changed over time from its earliest traceable source to the current received version.

When should I use source tracing instead of general fact checking?▼

Use source tracing when resolving conflicts between summarized claims and underlying sources, auditing academic or media citations, or detecting citation laundering, rather than performing simple true or false fact checks.