Field Agent Guide
A comprehensive manual for Citizen Researchers conducting decentralized forensic investigations and data collection.
Sections
1. Onboarding & Verification
To maintain the credibility of the Forensic Market, every Field Agent must undergo an initial verification process. This includes identity confirmation and, where applicable, the validation of professional credentials or scientific background.
- Complete your Researcher Profile with accurate information.
- Submit required identity documentation via our secure portal.
- Higher verification tiers grant access to high-priority or sensitive missions.
2. Accepting Missions
Browse the Mission Board to find projects that align with your geography, equipment, and expertise. Before accepting, review the Research Protocol and Budget Breakdown thoroughly.
Commitment to Scope
By accepting a mission, you agree to follow the specific procedures laid out by the Stakeholder. Deviations from protocol may result in rejection of your submission and loss of reward.
3. Field Procedures
Standard processes that must be observed to ensure data quality and personal safety:
Pre-Field Checklist
Ensure all testing equipment is calibrated, batteries are charged, and your GPS tracking is functional.
Safety Protocols
Never trespass. Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as specified in the mission post.
Photographic Evidence
Take high-resolution photos of the sampling site, the sample itself, and any unique identifiers or environmental context.
Timestamping
Data must be logged in real-time. Use the platform app or approved tools to ensure immutable timestamping.
4. Expenses & Funding
Research often requires physical resources. It is important to understand how these are handled:
- Researcher-Funded Expenses: In many cases, you may be required to cover upfront costs for specialized equipment, shipping, or travel. The Mission Post will clearly specify if any expenses are required from the researcher and whether these are reimbursable.
- Escrow Protection: Mission rewards (and confirmed reimbursements) are held in an immutable smart contract escrow. This ensures that if you provide verified data, your payment is guaranteed.
- Invoicing: For missions involving reimbursements, keep all receipts. These must be uploaded alongside your research data for verification.
5. Data Integrity
Our verification engine relies on standardized outputs. Using approved tools prevents data "cleaning" errors and ensures that your raw findings can be replicated by peer reviewers.
Standardized Tools
Ensure your data meets our rigorous standards by following our approved toolsets.
View Tools and Testing6. Verification & Rewards
Once your submission is uploaded, it enters a multi-stage verification pipeline:
- Automated Triage: AI checks for consistency and formatting errors.
- Peer Review: Other Citizen Researchers replicate the analysis or check for logic errors.
- Board Approval: Final verification for complex or high-stakes data.
Upon successful verification, the smart contract automatically releases the reward and any pre-approved expenses to your wallet address.
Ready to head into the field?
Join a global community of forensic researchers and make data-driven truth accessible to everyone.