Revised: 5 September 2026 This is an outline of The TRACE Technique (Threat assessment, Reconciliation with facts, Analysis of competing explanations, Conditional probability Evaluation), an analytical methodology developed collaboratively between this analyst and AI to examine the disappearance of Amy Wroe Bechtel. It is applicable to any case with no or low physical evidence. TRACEContinue reading “The TRACE Technique: A Strategy For No- To Low-Evidence Cases”
Author Archives: PATTI
Amy Wroe Bechtel: Analysis In The Absence Of Evidence
The TRACE Technique was developed through human-AI collaboration to examine the disappearance of Amy Wroe Bechtel. This methodology is applicable to any case with low to no physical evidence. TRACE shifts the focus of the analysis away from what, why, or how something happened, to which hypothesis best reconciles with known facts or evidence patterns,Continue reading “Amy Wroe Bechtel: Analysis In The Absence Of Evidence”
AUSA Jonathan Paul Luna: The Limits Of Binary Thinking
An analysis of the Jonathan Luna case found the complex explanation for his death may have contributed to case laying unresolved since 2003.
Writing: A Core Competency Of The Intelligence Analyst
Here are some tips to help convey a clear and concise written message to consumers of intelligence analysis. Writing is a core competency of the intelligence analyst. If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough. Albert Einstein
Data Analysis: A Core Competency Of The Intelligence Analyst
Here are some tips to help with your data analysis, a core competency of the intelligence analyst. Major intelligence failures are usually caused by failures of analysis, not failures of collection. Relevant information is discounted, misinterpreted, ignored, rejected or overlooked because it fails to fit a prevailing mental model or mind-set. Richards J. Heuer, TheContinue reading “Data Analysis: A Core Competency Of The Intelligence Analyst”