What is the technique called for tracing data back to a source?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the technique used to trace data back to a source, specifically in the context of tracking droplets of water to an origin point as depicted in a television series. The inquiry touches on the feasibility of such methods in real-life criminal investigations and the mathematical principles involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to identify the technique used for tracing droplets back to their source, referencing a specific episode of the Numb3rs series.
  • Another participant provides links to resources related to the mathematical topics covered in the series and mentions a presentation on tracking pollution.
  • A question is raised about the practical possibility of tracking a criminal back to an origin point using similar methods.
  • One participant expresses confidence in the feasibility of such tracking, citing a mathematician police officer in Canada who developed an application for police departments.
  • Additional resources are shared that discuss the realism of the mathematical methods portrayed in the series.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the realism and applicability of the methods shown in the series, with some asserting the possibility of such techniques being used in real investigations while others question their practicality.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to specific episodes and external resources, but the exact definitions and assumptions underlying the techniques discussed remain unclear.

Nerdydude101
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I I was watching something the other day and using math they were able to trace droplets of water back to an origin point (they used that I then find the origin of a rapist but I don't know about that being realistically possible) but they didn't say what it was called that they were doing, usually they do and I look it up to learn more and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what this analysis was called, tracing data back to a source. Thanks!
 
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Would it actually be possible to do what he did and track a criminal back to an origin point like that?
 
Yes, I think its possible and yes I think it was actually used by a mathematician police officer in Canada a few years earlier, developed into an application for poilce depts and was the basis for the episode.

This may answer your question better:

http://www.math.cornell.edu/~numb3rs/luthy/num101.html

and for other episodes:

http://www.math.cornell.edu/~numb3rs/lipa/Episodes/

Lastly, some more commentary of some episodes and how realistic the math was:

http://homepage.smc.edu/nestler_andrew/numb3rs.htm
 

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