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Verified Labels ​

Verified labels are neutral labels added by the data analyst based on observation and evidence found in the content. Allegations made by the source or persons in the content must not influence adding or removing these labels.

SJAC uses this list of labels to tag the reliability, priority, metadata, or the verified content. The latter is used mainly in items with verifiable evidence like video Bulletins.

INFO

Unless otherwise noted, the following labels were added to the system in September 2017.

Meta ​

Meta labels describe the metadata related to each piece of documentation.

Actor Needed ​

The item contains information that merits creating an Actor profile, especially when there is no Actor profile for the person in the database. An example of useful information is a full name with identifying information (face, event date, etc.).

Bad Import ​

The uploaded documentation has differences with the source or seems to have been imported with errors. For example, an Actor is missing the picture or the date of birth, whereas this information exists in the source.

Confidential ​

Applied to all confidential or classified Bulletins or Actors that are non-public and contain sensitive information. SJAC supervisors identify which items should be designated as Confidential.

Duplicate ​

Documentation is an exact copy of another piece of documentation. For example, an Actor has been entered twice into the database by mistake, or the same video is uploaded by a second source.

WARNING

A duplicate is not the same as Same Person (for Actors) or Related Bulletins (for Bulletins).

The duplicate Actor/Bulletin must be tagged with this label. The original should be processed normally and the duplicate added as a related item with "Duplicate" relationship. Duplicate items should not be processed further; only the "Meta, Duplicate" label is required.

When a duplicate video is found, check which video is the original using the publish date. If publish dates match, use Amnesty's YouTube DataViewer to find which was uploaded first.

False or Fake ​

The credibility and/or authenticity of the documentation is questionable. Similar items can be discussed with other analysts.

Flagged ​

Used to flag any Actor or Bulletin that needs further attention. For example, the item needs further work, the analyst is waiting for feedback, or the content is controversial and warrants team discussion.

Graphic ​

The documentation contains graphic content showing traumatic material: severe wounds or injuries, dead bodies, severe torture, or postmortem offences.

Important ​

Intentionally defined loosely to give analysts full discretion to identify data they believe is important for SJAC's scope of work.

Irrelevant ​

The documentation is not relevant to SJAC's mission of documenting violations to human rights, international criminal and humanitarian laws (war crimes) in Syria.

Examples of irrelevant content:

  • Reports about humanitarian conditions in a refugee camp or town
  • Distributing humanitarian aid
  • General strikes with no claims of any sort (but strikes claimed as a response to an incident like a massacre should be treated as non-incident cases)

Border Incidents ​

The item is about an incident that occurred on Syrian borders and is related to neighboring countries' border guards.

Low Quality ​

Documentation is of low quality, hindering interpretation. For videos, poor quality or dark frames. For documents, poor scan quality (not for documents that are poorly written or hard to decipher).

Need Assistance ​

Item requires assistance from supervisors or other analysts.

OSF Project ​

Item is related to the OSF Project.

Overly Discretionary ROE ​

Item involves overly discretionary rules of engagement.

Reliability ​

Source claims differ from visual/audio ​

The source's claims about the content do not match what can be observed in the visual or audio material.

Source claims partially differ from visual/audio ​

The source's claims partially match the visual or audio content, but some claims are not supported.

Source claims same as visual/audio ​

The source's claims match the visual or audio content.

No Evidence ​

The bulletin's content does not support the commission of a war crime or any violation to human rights. This does not mean it is irrelevant, but on its own, it has no evidentiary value.

Some/Weak Evidence ​

Regardless of the source claim, the content might support the commission of a war crime or human rights violation, but more information is needed.

Strong Evidence ​

Regardless of the source claim, the content strongly supports the commission of a war crime or violation of human rights law.

Content ​

These labels characterize the content of the documentation.

INFO

Unless otherwise noted, Content labels were added to the system in February 2014.

Media ​

Documentation from media outlets: news reports, interviews, articles, etc. Not from research institutions or international organizations.

Report ​

Reports published by governmental or non-governmental organizations, or research institutions (UN reports, HRW reports, university research, etc.). Can also be a video report by a non-media organization.

Interview ​

Interviews conducted for documentation purposes with survivors, witnesses, and others.

Document ​

Government documents, correspondence, official orders, military documents, identity scans, etc.

Sub-labels for Document type:

  • Allegation
  • Arrest Order
  • Circular
  • Confession (to possible violation)
  • Confidential
  • Detention Order
  • General Order/Instruction
  • Humanitarian Aid
  • Identifiable Information
  • Immediate
  • Indirect Confession (to possible violation)
  • Informational Publication
  • Killing Order
  • Personnel Inventory
  • Predictive Report
  • Search Order
  • Secret
  • Security Report
  • Surveillance Info
  • Surveillance Order
  • Telegram
  • Top Secret
  • Weapon Inventory
  • OSF-Document
  • Other (if other, describe in description)

Non-Arabic ​

Documentation is in or contains a language other than Arabic (English, Turkish, French, Kurdish, etc.). This does not apply to subtitles or video descriptions, only the content of the documentation itself.

Incident ​

An incident (hostilities, possible violation or crime) occurs in the documentation. The incident happens in the documentation: "something is happening." Usually includes battles, fighting, shelling, arrests, torture, attacking a demonstration, etc.

Non-Incident ​

No incident occurred: "nothing is really happening." Examples include gatherings of armed members, meetings, announcements, defections, testimonies, formation of groups, movement of units without hostilities, etc.

Frequent non-incident examples:

  • Pillar(s) of smoke with an allegation about an incident
  • An airplane hovering with a claim about an airstrike but nothing visible
  • A hole in the ground with an allegation but no remarkable visual evidence
  • Demonstrations with an allegation about violence or detention but no visual evidence
  • Audible weapons, explosions with an allegation about hostilities

Prisoner Release/Exchange ​

Content shows prisoner release or exchange between two groups. Usually treated as non-incidents unless they show evidence of potential violations.

Post-Incident ​

Documentation of something that has already occurred. Indicates that a notable incident has happened. Usually includes mass graves, destruction of property, bodies found, videos of "martyrs" or injuries. Evidence of the alleged incident must be present in the content.

Signs of recent incident ​

Contains visual evidence of a recent violation that took place in the same location and in the immediate aftermath. The Bulletin must show evidence establishing that the incident took place very shortly before the video was captured (considerable dust from a recent explosion, people crowding as an instant reaction, etc.).

Promotional ​

The content's main purpose is to promote an armed or political group. If the content shows any potential violation, the Incident label and related labels should be added. Otherwise, tag with this label only.

If a promotional video shows a specific incident (e.g., storming a building), it can be processed as an incident while also adding this label.

Unsubstantiated Confessions ​

The content contains confessions about a violation that were not made freely. This includes all confessions made by military personnel under detention.

Identifiable Information ​

Labels for content that helps identify an Actor or location in relation to an incident. Examples: ID cards, shop names, street signs, vehicle plates, language or dialect, graffiti.

If an Identifiable Information label is used, the analyst must explain the usage in the Description field along with timestamps pointing to the identifying information.

TIP

Signs or banners held by protesters to confirm time and location can be considered identifiable if the content is related to an incident.

Ethnographic Information ​

Content showing ethnographic information about persons or places: ethnicity, religion, nationality, language, etc.

Identities ​

Content that helps determine a given identity. Names, ID numbers, personal documents, special clothing, tattoos, jewelry, or other features unique to an individual.

This label is used only when the person is not already identified by the content. For example, if a corpse is already identified by name, additional identifying features like tattoos do not warrant this label. Only use when it is important to identify the person and they are directly relevant to an incident.

  • Face(s) detectable: One or more faces clearly shown and matchable with an ID or photo. Includes faces of unidentified injured parties or perpetrators.
  • Name(s) detectable: One or more names appear (e.g., ID card shown, full name mentioned). First or nicknames alone are not sufficient. The name must be of importance. Applied in high priority Bulletins with some exceptions.

Symbols and Text ​

Identifiable symbols and text: markings or writing showing location, affiliation, etc. Includes unit numbers, titles, ranks, street names, license plates, graffiti.

Notes:

  • When a symbol appears on a fighter's uniform, use Unit Detectable instead
  • Vehicle plates: add only when the vehicle is directly affected by the incident (with Incident and Post-Incident)
  • With low priority incidents, only when the vehicle is used in committing a violation
  • Always with armored vehicles that have non-text symbols (colored symbols on tanks used as cyphers about the brigade). In similar cases only, use with Non-Incidents.

Uniform ​

Used when persons appear wearing specific clothing that designates them with an official group, agency, or fighting force. Generally used when the person in uniform is directly related to an incident.

In post-incident content, the person may be a participant, affected by, or of direct relevance to the incident. Evidence of affiliation must be present in the footage.

Government military ​

Person wearing government military uniform with identifiable markings.

Government security/police ​

Person wearing government security or police uniform.

Third-country military ​

Person wearing a foreign military uniform.

Non-government militia ​

Person wearing non-government militia clothing/uniform.

Kurdish ​

Person wearing Kurdish forces uniform.

Unit detectable ​

The unit's name or broader affiliation is visible on the uniform. When used, Identifiable Symbols and Text should not be added. This label covers all symbols on a uniform.

Rank detectable ​

Badges on uniforms signifying ranks (general, lieutenant, etc.). When used, Identifiable Symbols and Text should not be added.

Unknown ​

Clearly a uniform, but the individual's affiliation is unclear.

Plain clothed fighter ​

Individuals shown fighting but only wearing informal camo or plain clothes.

Humanitarian uniform ​

Official humanitarian presence with individuals wearing clothing identifying them with a humanitarian group or agency. Only used when the person is directly involved in the incident. Not used for post-incident cases where humanitarian personnel are assisting in rescue, recovery, or rubble removal.

Other ​

Fighters wearing a unique piece of clothing rather than a specific uniform (headband, ribbon in a specific color, etc.). Requires at least two fighters wearing a unified piece of identification as a group.

Human ​

Incapacitated ​

A person/body appears to have died or is dying. Not used if the person is unconscious, clearly breathing, or more likely than not still alive.

Signs of Injury ​

Signs of injury directly related to a human body. Not used for blood stains or splatter unless directly related to a human body.

  • Wounds/Bruises: Visible marks of injury on a dead body or living person. When questionable (low quality video, low visibility), the parent label can be added alone.
  • Maimed: Visible missing body parts on a dead body or living person. Also applies to severed parts found separately.

Surgery cases

  • Claim of violation + person identifiable: Post-Incident
  • Claim of violation + person not identifiable: Non-Incident
  • No claim of violation + person identifiable: Non-Incident
  • No claim of violation + person not identifiable: Irrelevant

Child ​

Visually clear that the individual is under 18 years of age. Difficult to verify for those above 15, so it needs to be more likely than not.

  • Armed: An armed child appears in the footage, but not necessarily participating in hostilities.
  • Participating in hostilities: A minor actively participating in hostilities in any fashion.

Officer/Commander(s) ​

Clear from orders being given, uniform/rank/insignia, or other visual or audio evidence that an individual is an officer or commander.

The label can be added when:

  • The person identifies themselves as a commander, officer, or states a high rank
  • The cameraman addresses the person as one

WARNING

This label should not be added based solely on a claim in the title.

Grave ​

Burial ceremony ​

A traditional or proper funeral/burial.

Uncovering a grave with multiple bodies ​

Video shows a grave in which two or more bodies were improperly buried or hidden.

Uncovering a grave with one body ​

Video shows a grave in which one body was improperly buried or hidden.

Weapon ​

Manufacturing ​

Video shows a weapons manufacturing facility.

Transporting ​

Video shows weapons being transported in an official manner. Not added whenever a weapon is simply being moved by a vehicle.

Loading ​

Weapons are being loaded. Not applied when Firing is applicable.

Firing ​

Weapons are actively being fired. Not added when the weapon is used as a mere act of celebration.

Identification Marking ​

Any marking on a weapon or remnant of a weapon.

Weapon type detectable ​

Weapon type is clearly visible or possible to identify. The label can be used even if the weapon cannot be identified by the analyst.

Remnants of weapons ​

Parts or remnants of weapons are visible.

Aircraft ​

Origin detectable ​

The model of the aircraft is clear in the footage, even if it cannot be identified by the analyst.

Vehicle ​

Armored military vehicle ​

Added whenever an armored military vehicle is detectable, even when the video is unclear or the vehicle is distant.

Unarmored military vehicle ​

Added whenever an unarmored military vehicle is detectable (even with unclear video or distant vehicle).

Armored civilian vehicle ​

Added only when the vehicle is related to a hostility or violation.

Unarmored civilian vehicle ​

Added only when the vehicle is related to a hostility or violation.

Humanitarian ​

Added only when the vehicle is or was directly involved in the incident. Not used when the vehicle is being used for rescue, body recovery, or rubble removal.

Property/Buildings ​

In incidents, the structure is being damaged or destroyed. In post-incidents, damage or destruction is clearly identified. When a building is not involved in the incident but can help identify or verify a location, use Identifiable structure instead.

WARNING

Property/buildings labels can only be used when the building is or was directly involved in the incident, except for the Identifiable structure label.

Civilian structure ​

Common cases:

  • Footage inside a damaged/destroyed structure where furniture indicates civilian use
  • Footage from a distance where architectural pattern and surroundings indicate civilian buildings
  • Totally destroyed building with recognizable furniture pieces

Not added for structures that are totally destroyed and cannot be identified as civilian.

Camp ​

Informal or formal refugee or IDP camp.

Religious/Cultural ​

Religious buildings or structures (mosque, church), cultural venues, and structures of cultural or historic importance.

Educational ​

Building clearly used as a nursery, school, higher institute, university, or for other educational purposes.

Agricultural ​

Agricultural structures (barns, grain silos, water towers, etc.). Not added for non-structures like crops or fields.

Medical ​

Hospitals, clinics, care centers (elderly homes, etc.). The building must be identified as medical by written signage or visible equipment.

WARNING

Some allegations about civilian medical centers show normal civilian buildings. In this case, the label should not be added.

Military structure ​

The structure can be clearly identified as military. Strongholds or bricks in a random building are not sufficient. The building must be in an official military site.

Unknown structure used for military purposes ​

A building whose type cannot be established, but is visibly a military site or used for military purposes (strongholds or weapons situated in the building, etc.).

Public Infrastructure ​

Bridges, roads, electricity facilities, parks. The structure should be the main target of the attack.

Humanitarian/IDP ​

Any building clearly used as a shelter or residence for internally displaced people and/or refugees. Schools used as IDP camps qualify when clearly serving as shelter.

Checkpoint ​

Any formal or informal checkpoint.

Identifiable structure ​

The property/building appears clearly in the footage and is unique enough to help identify or verify a location: minarets, domes, water towers, residential towers, grain silos, statues, etc.

Destroyed ​

Structure requires complete reconstruction (unsalvageable). For incidents, the destruction must be seen taking place in the footage.

Damaged ​

Structure is repairable/salvageable. For incidents, the damage must be seen taking place in the footage.

Looting ​

Actual looting taking place. Not added based on allegation alone.

Demonstration ​

Funeral ​

Purpose of the demonstration is a funeral. If the face(s) of the corpse(s) are recognizable, the Bulletin is Post-Incident. If not, Non-Incident.

Violence ​

Violence being committed on persons taking part in a demonstration. A common example: security forces arresting or attempting to arrest demonstrators.

Hostilities ​

This parent label can be used on its own in incidents when the type of hostility cannot be determined.

Airstrike with aircraft visible ​

The missile or bomb originated from an aircraft that appears in the footage.

Airstrike with no visible aircraft ​

The missile or bomb originated from an aircraft, but the aircraft does not appear in the footage. For example, the weapon is recognizable as air-dropped (barrels, parachute explosives) or falls vertically/perpendicularly.

Ground to air shooting ​

Fighters on the ground are shooting in an upward direction, attempting to shoot an aircraft.

Explosion ​

Actual explosions visible in the footage. Not added when only rising smoke is visible. Not added if either airstrike label is used.

In urban area ​

The hostility is happening inside a city or town. An area can be considered urban if a non-military facility is identifiable (hospital, school, mosque).

Near urban area ​

Hostility taking place on the outskirts of a city or town.

Unknown area ​

Hostilities in an area whose buildings/structures cannot be accurately identified as civilian.

Civilians on periphery ​

Civilians not affiliated with any army or fighting group can be seen watching, hiding, or running away within proximity of hostilities.

Civilians as human shields ​

Civilians who appear to be deliberately used by fighters as human shields.

Indiscriminate ​

Fighters firing weapons indiscriminately with no specified target. For example, an aircraft dropping many explosive objects on a wide landscape of an urban area at once.

Wounding/Killing ​

Killing or wounding can be seen clearly in the footage.

Non-Battle Incident ​

Labels for incidents where the setting is not part of a hostility/battle or in a context that cannot be identified as armed action: detention cases, destroying property, violent acts away from battle.

This parent label can be used on its own when the type cannot be determined.

Beating ​

Physical beating of a person.

Beheading ​

Beheading of a person.

Destruction to Property ​

Destruction of personal items, not buildings (use Property/Buildings labels for structures).

Questioning ​

Interrogation or questioning of a person.

Threats ​

Threatening behavior or statements directed at a person.

Other Violence ​

Violence that does not fit into the above categories.

Sounds ​

Generally used with Incidents and Non-Incidents. For Post-Incidents, only used when the audio is clearly relevant to the alleged incident whose aftermath is shown (only when the incident is recent and the sound seems directly related). For Non-Incidents, added whenever related to an unseen alleged incident.

Audible aircraft(s) ​

Added whenever an aircraft sound can be heard, regardless of whether the sound is relevant to the incident. Not to be confused with the sound of missiles/barrels/bombs when dropped from an aircraft.

Audible weapon(s) ​

Weapons can be heard firing.

Audible explosion(s) ​

Explosions can be heard.

Audible chant(s) ​

Chanting can be heard.

Audible scream(s) ​

Screaming can be heard.

Radio Contact ​

Radio contact can be clearly heard (but not necessarily understood).

Video ​

Aerial view ​

The video is filmed from a drone or from a satellite view.

Night ​

The footage is filmed at night. Not to be confused with indoors/lights off.

Timestamp visible ​

A timestamp is visible in the footage, regardless of its accuracy.

Clear weather ​

Used mostly with outdoor videos when the weather is not rainy or snowy.

Stormy weather ​

The weather is rainy, snowy, or otherwise stormy.