Rule: Do Not Expand Initials Without Source Verification

Created: 2025-12-28 Status: ACTIVE Priority: HIGH

Rule Statement

NEVER expand initials to full first names unless the source document explicitly provides the full name.

Background

When sources list names with initials (e.g., "Dr. K.J.P.F.M. Jeurgens"), you MUST NOT guess or assume what those initials stand for. "K." could be Karel, Klaas, Kees, Karsten, Koen, etc.

Examples

FORBIDDEN

// Source says: "Dr. K.J.P.F.M. Jeurgens"
// WRONG - Do not assume initials
{
  "foaf:name": "Charles Jeurgens",  // FORBIDDEN - "K" is not "Charles"
  "foaf:full_name_formal": "Dr. K.J.P.F.M. Jeurgens"
}

CORRECT

// Source says: "Dr. K.J.P.F.M. Jeurgens"
// CORRECT - Preserve initials as given
{
  "foaf:name": "K.J.P.F.M. Jeurgens",
  "foaf:title": "Dr.",
  "foaf:full_name_formal": "Dr. K.J.P.F.M. Jeurgens",
  "notes": "First names represented by initials only; full names not provided in source"
}

CORRECT (when source provides full name)

// Source says: "Dr. Karel Jan Jeurgens (K.J.P.F.M. Jeurgens)"
// CORRECT - Source explicitly provides full names
{
  "foaf:name": "Karel Jan Jeurgens",
  "foaf:title": "Dr.",
  "foaf:full_name_formal": "Dr. K.J.P.F.M. Jeurgens",
  "web_claims": [
    {
      "claim_type": "full_name_expansion",
      "claim_value": "Karel Jan",
      "source_url": "https://example.org/staff",
      "xpath": "...",
      "notes": "Full first names explicitly stated in source"
    }
  ]
}

Implementation

foaf:name: Use the name EXACTLY as it appears in the source
foaf:title: Extract academic/honorific titles (Dr., Drs., Prof., Jhr., etc.)
foaf:full_name_formal: Include complete formal name with titles and initials as given
notes: Add note when initials are not expanded

Verification Required

Before expanding any initial:

Check if the source document provides the full name
Search for other authoritative sources (LinkedIn, institutional pages)
If no explicit full name is found, preserve initials

DATA_FABRICATION_PROHIBITION.md - Real data only
PERSON_DATA_PROVENANCE_RULE.md - All claims need provenance

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