Evidence Standards
Photo Review Standards for Aquatic Bovine Evidence
Minimum requirements for registry review of submitted images.
Abstract
A practical guide to cow morphology, water visibility, scale, metadata, misclassification signs, and common false positives.
Cow Morphology
Images should show enough of the subject to distinguish cattle from horses, signs, statues, logs, and distant shoreline objects.
Water Visibility
The waterline should be legible. Reflections can be mistaken for submersion and should be interpreted conservatively.
Scale and Distance
Wide shots are acceptable when they preserve context. Excessive enlargement can create confidence where none is warranted.
Common False Positives
Common false positives include ordinary cows near dry shorelines, reflections misread as submersion, statues or signs, manatees, logs, horses, rarely, and the emotionally aquatic but physically dry cow.