SCU Investigations
Investigations Overview
Technology - Investigation - Intelligence
RESEARCH - EVIDENCE - STRATEGY
The SCU is an international research organization of scientists, researchers, and professionals from across organizations, governments, and industries. We conduct, promote and encourage rigorous scientific examination of anomalous phenomena that display characteristics exceeding capabilities of known contemporary technology. We utilize scientific principles, methodologies and practices in the study of UAP which are observed and reported around the globe.
The Challenge of Public Response to UAP
The challenge of public response to UAP starts with establishing UAP as a reality. The purpose of an investigation is to gather evidence that would support or refute that an object was real, actions were measurable, and effects were collectable. Upon a determination that a UAP is real, then the question becomes, “What do we do about it?” This question often goes unanswered because, if there is not enough convincing evidence that a UAP is real, there is no need to discuss a response strategy. This leaves the public with few answers and a perceived threat to public safety. We approach this concern by analyzing evidence of the incident, while assessing public safety implications, concurrently. The public wants to know if UAP are real and what it means if they are, and the SCU seeks to answer those questions.
Is This Real? Evidence, as the foundation for Belief.
Evidence includes physical, demonstrative or testimonial information that validates events or a series of eventsi. Physical evidence includes artifacts from a scene, an object or a person, which allow the human senses to determine that an item is 3-dimenstional and is in fact real. Demonstrative evidence includes photographs, video and instrumented data. Demonstrative evidence provides time-specific visual and auditory data that allow a characterization of a 3- dimentional object or scene comprised of 3-dimentional objects. A true and accurate representation contained within demonstrative evidence (photograph or video) is used to support the assertion that the scene or associated objects depicted, are real.
In addition to (or in the absence of) physical or demonstrative evidence, witness testimony in the form of verbal or written statements, and observed behaviors are used to gather information for the scene, as well as objects or persons associated with the scene. Testimonial evidence is transient, in that statements may be derived from a combination of memory, recreation, confabulation, and at times deception. When enough details for characteristics in our environment are recognized, those characteristics and their effects are believed to be real. The reality that stems from our belief then prompts the question, “What do we do?”
What Do We Do? Intelligence, as the guide for Strategic Response.
Before taking any action, a summary of evidence and associated analyses should be conducted to establish a characteristic profile. The characteristic profile provides a logic in which to understand the structure, function and effects for a material substance, technical device or operator description. As with any unknown conditions or circumstances, an assessment for any hazards should be conducted to provide for the safety for anyone that may have, or is anticipated to have, contact with any unknown materials. Any information that supports an intelligent action by an unknown actor should be assessed for origin and intent. Subject to a determination of capability and intent, a recommendation can be made for future actions. Such actions may include further study, active response, or no action or further study based on a resolution of prosaic origin.
The uncertainty of UAP create a variety of perceptions in the public, which can complicate collaborative efforts to understand and appropriately respond to the phenomenon. The SCU relies on rigorous science and intelligence assessments to provide the best recommendations for understanding of UAP.
Case Request Criteria
The effort to investigate UAP requires corroborating direct witnesses, original sensory data, or physical evidence from which the original location can be established. To submit a request for UAP investigation, the following criteria must be met:
Report includes the date, time, location, and description of the encounter.
Report includes descriptions that are anomalous relating to structure, flight characteristics, and/or occupants associated with a UAP.
Requester is a direct witness.
Photo/Video evidence includes the submission of the original data file containing the meta data.
Physical evidence was appropriately handled. SCU advises against any physical contact or proximity of unknown potentially hazardous material. If physical evidence was recovered, documentation is included for the original location of the recovery, location of storage, and a chain of custody.
SCU encourages observers to formally report UAP to a law enforcement or other appropriate government agency. This initiates official government documentation for potential violations of flight safety, unlawful surveillance, and other offenses that pose a risk to public safety.
Why the strict criteria for case submissions? An evaluation of UAP reports must be screened for misidentification, misinterpretation or misappropriation of information. The criteria list was established to rule out conventional technologies, balloons, weather phenomena, and falsified information by requiring details that can be validated.
Regarding fraudulent requests (hoaxes): Any information found to have been falsified will result in the termination of the SCU investigation, with appropriate legal action to follow.
Preliminary Inquiry
If the request does not meet the SCU criteria, the requester will receive correspondence to explain what is needed to move forward with an investigation. Upon a determination that a SCU UAP Investigations request meets the SCU criteria, an investigator will be assigned. The first steps will be to confirm the information submitted in the request and to assess what is needed to collect necessary evidence relative to the incident.
Investigation
Case requests that have been accepted for investigation will be assigned to a Lead Investigator. The Lead Investigator will coordinate the collection of information from witnesses for a description of the event, calibrated sensory data, documents, or physical artifacts, provided the materials can be authenticated for appropriate collection and handing. If there is an active scene, the SCU will coordinate with local authorities to determine appropriate access and authority to provide assistance. Once authority is established, an SCU Investigations team will respond to examine, document and collect evidence for analysis and reporting.
Analysis
Service Name
Specialists may be requested to conduct analysis for image/audio data, chemistry/geology, physics/engineering, biological, and intelligence profiles.
​
Image/Audio analysts will conduct examinations pursuant to the identification of 3-dimensional objects associated with spatial position, function, environmental effect, pattern identification, and data synchronicity.
​
Biological analysts will conduct examinations pursuant to the collection and analysis
of recovered specimen, identification of cellular or systemic structure and function, unusual chemical signatures, radiation, cellular damage, or physiological stress indicators that could be linked to a UAP event.
Chemical analysts (chemists and geologists) will conduct examinations pursuant to the collection and analysis of recovered specimen, soil, rock, vegetation, water, fluids, and other materials collected at the site to determine their chemical nature and composition, trace elements and isotope ratios that may not match terrestrial ones.
Functional analysts (physicists and engineers) will conduct examinations pursuant to object motion, interaction, technological function, unusual electromagnetic fields, radiation levels, ground compression patterns, temperature anomalies, or structural damage to materials related to a UAP event.
Intelligence analysts will conduct assessments of risk, threat and intent of known or unknown actors, based on a review of credible witness testimony, image analysis, physical sample analysis, and historical data patterns and indications analysis.
Assistance to Government
The growing number of reports of unauthorized drone activity has elevated the attention of government agencies. As with any crime, identification of the offender is paramount to ensuring the safety of the public. State Task Forces are in development to ensure efforts are maximized to identify technologies that have operated in national sovereign airspace illegally, and still have no attribution. Any unidentified technologies operating without detection or identification represent a potential threat to public safety.
Upon request, the SCU will provide support to government agencies in need of technical advice, operational guidance, or analytical support. If a UAP is identified as a technical device under the control of a local citizen or foreign national, and is in violation of public safety laws, the investigation may transition to a criminal investigation. The SCU will cooperate with authorities in accordance with local and federal laws.
As unsupported and sensational claims continue to be made, the SCU encourages the official release of data in the form of validated images and presentation of physical evidence that has been authenticated. Such evidence will allow for comprehensive study to better understand the phenomena and improve how we respond to it.
Track state and federal UAP legislation
U.S. Federal
Federal:
FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Link 2
U.S. STATE
Vermont House Bill - Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force
​
Connecticut House Bill 5422 - An Act Concerning a Study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
​
​
​