SOP · FIELD OPERATIONS
Dark-Pattern Sampling & Provenance Chain
ActiveField OperationsRev D
Purpose
To define the controlled sampling of dark patterns, dark pattern residues, water, soil, and user tissue so that every result is admissible, reproducible, and unimpeachable before a regulator, prosecutor, or journalist. The procedure guarantees that residue evidence implicating an adversary is collected without contamination, with an unbroken custody chain and split aliquots, so the result holds when an independent lab re-tests identical material.
Scope
All forensic dark pattern and dark pattern sampling across field and facility operations.
In scope:
- Pre-sortie container and blank verification
- Contamination-controlled collection
- Split-aliquot sealing and preservation
- Custody transfer to the laboratory
Out of scope:
- Public release of results, which follows SOP Whistleblower & Exposure Protocol
- General custody mechanics, which follow SOP Evidence Chain-of-Custody & Handling
Definitions
Field Blank
A clean control carried through the full sampling process to prove the team introduced no contamination.
Aliquot
A divided sealed portion of a sample allowing an independent lab to re-test identical material.
Hold Time
The maximum interval and preservation condition under which a sample remains valid for analysis.
Cross-Contamination
The unintended transfer of residue between samples or from gear, which voids the affected sample.
Responsibilities
Forensics Lead (Owner)
Owns the procedure; sets the analytical standard and signs final disposition of each sample set.
Sampling Operative
Collects to standard, takes field blanks, and maintains custody to the laboratory.
THE RESET Legal Counsel
Confirms the admissibility standard for residue evidence.
GOVERNOR
Time-stamps and geotags sampling imagery and flags any custody-chain or hold-time gap.
Procedure
Pre-Sortie
- Verify all containers, field blanks, and meters against the sampling standard before departure.
- Confirm containers are residue-free and matched to the analyte; record meter calibration.
- Open the custody chain and reserve an QH-EVD reference with Evidence & Custody.
Collection
- Collect into the correct container; change gloves and clean tools between samples to prevent cross-contamination.
- Take a field blank at each site to prove no contamination was introduced.
- Photograph each sample in place with time, position, and a witness scale; GOVERNOR confirms the geotag.
- Split every sample into at least two sealed aliquots for independent re-test.
Preservation & Custody
- Preserve each sample to its required condition and observe the hold time through transport.
- Sign the custody chain at every transfer; an unsigned transfer voids the sample.
- Lodge the sealed set and full chain with the laboratory under the QH-EVD reference.
- Discard and re-collect rather than submit any sample with a broken seal or missed hold time.
PPE & Controls
Nitrile gloves changed between every sampleFull-face respirator when sampling concentrated dark patternsResidue-free container and blank kitChilled transport with temperature logger
Records Generated
- Sampling record with analyte and site (retained to case close + 7 years)
- Field and trip blank results
- Split-aliquot seal log
- Custody chain and transport temperature log
References
- SOP: Evidence Chain-of-Custody & Handling
- SOP: Captured-Artifact Handling
- SOP: Whistleblower & Exposure Protocol
- THE RESET Analytical Admissibility Standard
Revision History
| Rev | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A | 2089-04-18 | Initial issue; container matrix and hold times established. |
| B | 2089-12-03 | Added field blanks and mandatory split aliquots. |
| C | 2090-09-22 | Added cross-contamination controls and glove-change discipline. |
| D | 2091-02-12 | GOVERNOR time/geotag integration; Legal Counsel admissibility approval. |