EXIF plus ranked location candidates.
A location candidate is a claim. Before it goes into a report, check it against things you can see. This checklist keeps that step short and consistent.
Compare with maps
- Open the candidate on a map and look for the road layout, rivers and coastline from the photo
- Use street level imagery when it exists for that place
- Look for landmarks, bridges, towers and building shapes
Read the clues in the image
- Language and alphabet on signs and shop fronts
- Road markings, sign shapes and the side of the road
- Vegetation, terrain and the type of buildings
- Shadows and sun position, which hint at direction and time of day
Score your confidence
- Confirmed: two independent clues match one exact place
- Likely: several clues fit the area, but there is no exact match yet
- Unverified: the candidate is the only support
Write the level next to the location in your notes. A reader should see at once how sure you are.
Do not publish addresses
Never publish the home address of a private person. Share precise locations only with the people who need them for the case.
Record the steps
Pin the photo, the candidate list and your checks to an investigation and export it, so the reasoning can be reviewed later.
