The Needle is Facthread's entry-level research service for clients who have a single, specific question they need answered or a claim they need verified. You bring the question; I bring structured, evidence-based research using lawful public sources.

This service handles one tightly scoped research or verification question, including questions related to true crime, missing-person, unidentified-person, cold-case, or historical case topics (research and verification of publicly available case information only; Facthread does not locate or contact individuals). Broader case reconstruction or multi-question investigations belong under The Deep Dive or The Case File.

Every finding is tied to its source. Confidence levels are assigned based on corroboration strength. Contradictions and gaps are documented, not hidden. Unresolved questions are flagged with suggested next steps rather than papered over with false certainty. Findings clearly distinguish verified facts, reported claims, hypotheses, contradictions, and unresolved questions.

You submit your question. One focused research or verification question with any relevant context, links, or background you have.

I scope and confirm. I review your question, confirm it fits The Needle's scope, and clarify anything before starting.

I research. Multi-source research using lawful, publicly accessible sources. Cross-referencing, source evaluation, and confidence assessment.

You receive your report. A structured findings document within 5 business days of confirmed scope, including the Findings Report, Source Log, Confidence & Verification Summary, and Suggested Next Steps.

One clearly stated research or verification question

Any relevant context, background, links, or documents you already have

What you plan to use the findings for (helps me tailor the report)

Evidence-focused research using lawful, publicly accessible sources

Source verification and cross-referencing across independent sources

Confidence levels assigned to findings (High, Moderate, Low, Unverified)

Contradictions, gaps, and conflicting information documented clearly

Unresolved questions flagged with suggested next steps

Suitable for factual questions, claim verification, company/entity research, public-record research, timeline questions, and one narrowly scoped question on true crime, cold case, missing/unidentified person, or historical case topics

Not a private investigation or law-enforcement service

Not surveillance, hacking, impersonation, or access to private/nonpublic information

Not locating people who are intentionally avoiding contact

Not legal advice, medical conclusions, or academic work submitted as your own

Not guaranteed findings (some questions don't have verifiable answers, and I'll tell you that clearly)

Not accusations or conclusions about identifiable people beyond what sources support

Not broad case reconstruction or multi-question investigations (those belong under The Deep Dive or The Case File)

One round of clarification questions on the delivered report is included. This covers questions about sources, confidence levels, methodology, or anything unclear in the findings. It does not cover additional research questions or expanded scope (those are separate engagements).

The Needle handles one focused question. For different research needs, Facthread also offers:

Rabbit Hole Roulette — Weird questions welcome: you bring a curiosity object, I develop the research question ($95)

The Rabbit Hole — Strange, obscure, and hard-to-untangle research questions ($195)

Not in Kansas Anymore — Conspiracy, legend, and extraordinary claim analysis ($350)

The Deep Dive — Multi-source research and evidence analysis for one defined objective ($295)

The Case File — Evidence reconstruction and analysis within defined scope ceilings ($595)

If your question turns out to need a broader scope, I'll let you know before starting and we can discuss the right tier.