WikiQueer:Sockpuppet investigations/SPI/header


 * WQ:RFCU redirects here. You may be looking for WikiQueer:Requests for comment/User conduct (WQ:RFC/U), CheckUser policy (WikiQueer:CheckUser), or WikiQueer:Changing username (WQ:CHU).



Welcome to Sockpuppet investigations (SPI), a centralized forum regarding suspicions of sock puppetry amongst users as well as any additional CheckUser requests.

Important notes

 * Before submitting a case, check that there isn't one already in progress using the search button at the bottom of this page.
 * Please provide evidence (preferably with diffs and any reasonable deductions and impressions as a result) that show disruption or deception via IPs or accounts via sock puppetry. Cases without any evidence or with solely vague beliefs or assumptions will likely be rejected.
 * Remember to assume good faith when possible.
 * Consider notifying the suspected accounts by adding  to the bottom of their talk pages. Notification is not mandatory, and may, in some instances, lead to further disruption or provide a sockpuppeteer with guidance on how to avoid detection.
 * Keep it simple. Simple, concisely presented evidence leads to a quickly resolved case.


 * Do I need to request CheckUser?
 * CheckUser is a tool used by a small number of trusted users. It allows them to access evidence from WikiQueer's server logs to help resolve the case. For most cases, behavioral evidence is enough, with no need for CheckUser.
 * To request CheckUser, there must be credible evidence supporting the suspicion of sockpuppetry or abuse, and good cause why CheckUser is required. Requests for checkuser without evidence will be declined, because Crystal 128 babelfish.svgCheckUser is not for fishing. CheckUser is also not Pixie dust.png magic pixie dust, and should not be requested to investigate canvassing or meatpuppetry, account(s) that have not edited for many months, or cases where behavioral evidence is sufficient to decide the matter (see also the Cyberduck icon.png duck test). Finally, while CheckUser will not be used to confirm that a user is editing from a specific IP address; quick requests may be made for the purpose of getting an underlying IP address or range blocked, however a CheckUser will not disclose what that IP address is.
 * If you see a purported suicide note or threat of harm.

Anyone can request CheckUser at any time on an open case if it is necessary. If you wish to request CheckUser to any existing open case, then do the following:
 * 1) On the top of the case page, change    to   . An SPI clerk or CheckUser will review the case and make a determination as to whether CheckUser is needed. A clerk may either Symbol support2 vote.svg endorse the case for CheckUser attention or Symbol unsupport2 vote.svg decline it.
 * 2) If the case is declined, then it will be included back on the list of SPI cases that do not have CheckUser requests, where it will be handled by a patrolling administrator. If the case is endorsed, then a CheckUser will determine whether a check is justified and review the case and. At the end, CheckUser may post their results under the "Clerk, patrolling admin and checkuser comments" section, stating which accounts are Artículo bueno.svg confirmed to be the same user, which ones are Symbol support vote.svg likely, Symbol possible vote.svg possible, or Symbol unlikely.svg unlikely that they are the same user, and which ones are Symbol unrelated.svg unrelated or Symbol unsupport vote.svg inconclusive. Sometimes, underlying IP(s) may also be blocked.
 * 3) The case is then placed back in the list of non-CheckUser requests pending further comments from clerks or patrolling administrators, or it may be closed by a CheckUser or clerk if all issues have been addressed.

If you need a CheckUser to review something, but it does not fall into the above categories, please see here for instructions.
 * Quick CheckUser requests

If any administrator wants to help out at SPI, but are unsure how to get started, please read WikiQueer:Sockpuppet investigations/SPI/Administrators instructions. If you need help with anything, please ask one of the active SPI clerks.
 * Administrator's instructions

Submitting an SPI case
Create the case by replacing "SOCKMASTER" in the white box below with the user name of the oldest account (the "sockmaster"), or the previous case name, and then clicking the button under the box. For example, if the case name is about  User:John Doe  or a prior case is at  WikiQueer:Sockpuppet investigations/John Doe , then you should enter WikiQueer:Sockpuppet investigations/John Doe in the white box, and then click the button under the box. You will be taken to the next page, where there is a form to fill out giving the details of your report. Note that this form should be used for both opening a case for the first time, as well as opening a new case for a previous sockmaster.

If CheckUser might be needed, change |checkuser=no to |checkuser=yes in the edit box.