Evidence Provenance Model is the system layer that defines and tracks the origin, ownership, and transformation lineage of every evidence unit across the GEO pipeline.
Context Block
Page Type: Evidence System Layer
Function: Origin & Lineage Modeling Engine
Position: Cross-layer structural framework (persistent layer)
Role: Defines where evidence comes from and how it evolves
This layer is not a processing step. It is a structural model that attaches identity and lineage to every evidence object in the system.
Core Objective
- Define origin identity of all evidence units
- Track ownership and source attribution
- Model transformation lineage across pipeline stages
- Enable audit-ready evidence reconstruction
- Support trust and credibility evaluation layers
Provenance Pipeline
1. Origin Identification
Assigns primary source identity to each evidence unit.
2. Source Attribution Mapping
Links evidence to external or internal origin systems.
3. Transformation Tracking
Records all modifications across ingestion, scoring, and ranking.
4. Lineage Graph Construction
Builds full dependency graph of evidence evolution.
5. Provenance Finalization
Creates immutable provenance record for each evidence unit.
Provenance Structure
- Origin Node — original source of information
- Transformation Nodes — processing stages applied
- Derived Nodes — evidence created from transformations
- Usage Node — final usage in reasoning or answers
Provenance Signals
- Source identity hash
- Transformation history log
- System layer traversal path
- Evidence derivation chain
- Immutability verification marker
Example Provenance Flow
Wikipedia article → Retrieval → Ingestion → Classification → Scoring → Ranking → Validation → Answer
Each step attaches metadata without breaking origin continuity.
Integrity Rules
- No evidence can exist without origin attribution
- No transformation can erase prior lineage
- Derived evidence must reference parent nodes
- All changes must be append-only in provenance log
Integration in GEO Pipeline
Evidence Provenance Model is the structural backbone that enables traceability, credibility, and auditability across the entire Evidence system.
Failure Modes
- Broken lineage due to missing source attribution
- Loss of origin identity in derived evidence
- Incorrect mapping between transformations and sources
- Non-reconstructable evidence history
Structured Output Model
Each evidence unit produces:
- Origin Identity Record
- Full Lineage Graph
- Transformation History Chain
- Source Attribution Map
- Provenance Integrity Score
Relationship Block
Parent Layer: /evidence/
Cross-layer Role: Structural Foundation Layer
Downstream Use: Traceability, Credibility, Scoring
Connected Systems: Retrieval Engine, Ontology Layer, Knowledge Graph
Structured Summary
Evidence Provenance Model is the structural identity layer of the Evidence system. It defines where evidence originates, how it transforms, and how it is ultimately used across the GEO pipeline.
This layer ensures full auditability and prevents loss of origin integrity in complex multi-stage evidence processing systems.