Methodology

Research Methodology

Epstein Archive adheres to strict standards for collecting, verifying, and presenting information. Every claim is traceable to a primary source.

Core Principles

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Primary Sources Only

Every factual claim is backed by a court document, official record, sworn deposition, or credible investigative report. We do not publish unverified rumors.

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Presumption of Innocence

People named in documents but not convicted by a court are clearly labeled. Presence in flight logs or photographs does not imply criminal guilt.

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Victim Protection

Victims' identities are protected in accordance with court orders and journalistic ethics. We use pseudonyms where legally required.

Source Hierarchy

1
Tier 1 — Court records

Federal and state court filings, depositions, motions, orders, and verdicts accessed via PACER or FOIA requests. Highest reliability.

2
Tier 2 — Government documents

FBI reports, FAA flight records, congressional testimony, DOJ press releases, and official law enforcement statements.

3
Tier 3 — Investigative journalism

Reports from the Miami Herald, New York Times, ProPublica, and other outlets with documented sourcing and editorial standards.

4
Tier 4 — Victim testimony

Sworn affidavits and court-submitted victim statements. Clearly attributed and contextualized.

5
Tier 5 — Secondary sources

Books, academic papers, and licensed news archives used for context. Always cross-referenced with primary sources.

Labeling Standards

convicted

Persons who have been found guilty by a court of law.

charged

Persons against whom formal criminal charges have been filed but not yet resolved.

named in documents

Persons whose names appear in court records, flight logs, or depositions — without implying guilt.

alleged

Claims made by plaintiffs or witnesses that have not been adjudicated by a court.

Update & Correction Policy

When new court documents are unsealed or significant new information becomes available, pages are updated promptly. The update date is displayed on relevant articles.

If you identify a factual error, you may contact us via the contact page. We review every report. Confirmed errors are corrected within 48 hours with a note indicating the change.

We do not remove factual information because it is inconvenient to the individuals it concerns. Court records are permanent public documents.

What We Do Not Publish

  • Full names of victims protected by court orders
  • Private addresses or contact information of any living individuals
  • Unverified rumors, anonymous allegations without documentary support
  • Speculative connections unsupported by documents
  • Content that could harm ongoing criminal investigations