Working Paper No.002 The Methodology of Forensic STEM™

This working paper introduces the research problem that led to the development of Forensic STEM™, a proposed interdisciplinary methodology for investigating human systems through structured observation, systematic reconstruction, and evidence-based evaluation. Rather than proposing a new academic discipline, Forensic STEM™ is presented as an evolving research programme that explores whether a transparent, transferable investigative methodology can support the reconstruction and evaluation of human systems across diverse contexts. Working Paper No. 001 establishes the research problem, situates the proposed methodology in relation to existing fields, advances a research hypothesis concerning the reconstruction of human systems, outlines the initial research agenda, and presents the ethical principles that will guide future development of the methodology. Version: 2.0 What's new in Version 2.0 Reframed the proposed research gap as an explicit research hypothesis. Clarified the relationship between Forensic STEM™ and existing fields, including forensic science, digital forensics, process tracing, systems science, cybernetics, complexity science, and behavioural systems identification. Strengthened the methodological positioning of the research programme while emphasising that the proposed framework remains subject to ongoing testing, critique, and refinement. This publication represents the first working paper of the g² Insight Lab research programme and is intended to encourage constructive discussion, interdisciplinary engagement, and continued methodological development.