Gothic.Black Corrections, Retractions, and Case Status Policy
Website page draft | Version 1.0 | September 17, 2026
Gothic.Black treats every case as a maintained record. New evidence, source challenges, corrections, and changes in interpretation should be visible rather than silently overwritten.
Requests We Accept
• Factual correction
• Source challenge
• Privacy concern
• Evidence update
• Retraction request
• Additional documentation
Correction Standard
Substantive corrections should be prompt, visible, dated, explained, and recorded in the case timeline. Minor typography fixes that do not change meaning do not require a prominent notice but may remain in the internal log.
Sample Correction Notice
Correction, October 14, 2026: An earlier version listed the photograph as being taken in Salem. The submitter later provided the original file and clarified that it was taken in Danvers. The location field and evidence caption have been updated.
Retractions and Discredited Claims
If a central claim is withdrawn or discredited, the archive may retain the record for historical and research value while prominently changing its status. Do not erase the correction history merely because the result is embarrassing.
Case Statuses
• Open: accepted and able to receive additional information.
• Active: structured research, interviews, technical review, or field investigation is underway.
• Archived: accessible, but no current investigation is underway.
• Resolved: a supported explanation has been documented.
• Historic: concerns a historical event, older documented claim, or recurring tradition.
• Disputed: credible sources materially conflict and the disagreement is central.
• Retracted: the source withdrew a central claim or staff determined that continued presentation requires a prominent retraction.
• Hoax documented: sufficient evidence establishes deliberate fabrication.
• Misidentification documented: sufficient evidence supports a conventional identification.
Status and Rating History
Every change should record the previous value, new value, date, staff member, and brief reason. Staff notes may contain private operational context, while the public timeline should explain changes material to readers.
Correction Contact
Provide a visible Correction Request category in the site contact form or a direct link from every case page.