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Member: Senior Scribe Mac Brown
Service Number: BN-327SS
Date of Birth: 07-14-2245
Date of Death: Presently Serving
Place of Death: Presently Serving
Chapter: East Coast
Duty Stations: Prydwen (Current), Citadel, Adams AFB, Fort Independence
Areas of Research: Synthetic Humanoid (Android) Anatomy, Post War Pathogens, Plasma Inflicted Molecular Destabilization
Archive Submission: Research Status Log

[Archive Entry was declassified with authorization from East Coast Elder Arthur Maxson on 02-11-2288 to show all Brotherhood members across the wasteland the progress on eliminating the east coast Android threat – Head Scribe Wisner (LH)]

12-15-2287

Summary:

Research Synthetic Humanoids (Synths)(Androids) and conduct testing to discover differences between them and humans. Results will be implemented in future testing along the eastern seaboard to keep the Brotherhood ranks safe from Institute infiltration and ensure the citizens of the Commonwealth are immune to replacement.

Confirmed Data:

Through rigorous testing on cadavers of known synths brought aboard from various ground engagements, and conduct with the local populous, the idea of the "Synth Component" was brought to our attention. Cadavers brought aboard have shown only approximately 5% to have the component. Attaining enough confirmed cases have shown the component itself as un-detectable by x-ray or any other anatomical screening equipment we have aboard the Prydwen.

Close examination of the components show internal circuitry beneath a hard plastic and metal base encased in glass. Possible explanations for non-detection with our equipment likely due to traces of a coating of unknown substance.

Synth components appear to plug almost directly into the brain stem, apparently translating microscopic sensors throughout the "Near-Human" body into data for the machine to conduct itself in a human-like way based on external environmental factors. Study of the machine's "Organs" shows know discernible difference between those of a human.

Due to no cellular differentiation despite the neural component itself, alternate tests and research have been and are currently underway to subvert the physical identifiers.

Theories:

The current theories to identifying synths were primarily the courtesy of the local commonwealth populous. Having no Brotherhood personnel with knowledge on the topic, interviews with the locals have been conducted regarding a multitude of possibilities about origin and detection.

1. Not necessarily relevant to the question itself, it is believed that the organs and synthetic bodies are grown in the Institute likely based on pre-war un-radiation-corrupted DNA. This seems to be the only conclusion since the mutagenic probability is much higher in the current populous screenings. It is either that or the Institute scientists simply discard the failed subjects, though that number seems inaccurate with the number of Institute kidnapping cases.

2. One possible theory regarding the synth's being refers to the idea of reanimation. Some believe the Institute has found a way to reanimate the dead of the commonwealth. The belief is that the synth component acts as a "Powerhouse" to electrically move the cadaver's muscles, plugging into the spinal cord and using the deceased body's framework. Although, our dissection of the unit shows it has no actual power capacity, and instead has an architecture appearing to translate machine code into neural orders for the brain to process and transmit.

3. This theory is possibly applicable to the Brotherhood prospect of synth detection. The idea is that synths are sterile. This makes sense, but has not been proven for a number of reasons. We have no proof that synths cannot give birth, although cases of known synth "Parents" seem to place the replacement at a point in time after the birth.

4. Synth Psychology is a theory brought to our attention from a Commonwealth drifter from somewhere called "The Compound." No other info given since the source was killed shortly after, but some believe that synths can be pulled from the populous based on some sort of psychological test. Possible future implements around theory are currently pending.

5. Another theory related to synth detection is about the subject's weight. A number of sources throughout the Commonwealth say that synths are immune to gaining or losing weight based on their structured and lab created specifications. Further research into the synth's metabolism and dietary processes are currently underway (See below).

6. The final prominent theory regarding synth detection is about the synth's age. Though this theory is relatively similar to the one above, whether a synth can age or not is currently unknown, given our recent arrival and research on the topic (See below)

[This section does not take into account the previously proven theories]

Running Research:

Our current research on the anatomical makeup and differentiation of synths are pending in many areas of the project.

My position has me primarily awaiting the results of the "Institute Network Scan" recently recovered by a Knight in the field (Currently trying to interview said Knight on confirming Institute facilities). The rest of the team is awaiting the results of those component substance samples from back at Citadel and figuring alternatives around the x-ray immune nature. Finally, I have designated Scribe Lowery, and Field Scribe Opal to focus their work on the radiation samples, cellular degeneration, and tasking field teams around east Lexington to investigate more into the psychology lead.

Known Failures:

The current failures on the synth anatomy project almost all pertain to implementations in the basic recruitment test aspect.

"X-ray Component Detection Test" – See if the synth component and it's metallic parts show on a basic medical x-ray unit.
Result – No, no it doesn't.

"Cellular Differentiation Test" – Compare confirmed samples of synthetic tissues and organs with those of deceased confirmed humans.
Result – No discernible difference between synth and human organ cellular makeup (functionality currently under investigation).

"DNA Differentiation Test" – Confirmed synthetic DNA samples compared with confirmed human DNA samples.
Result – No discernible difference found (How likely lab grown cells have their own unique DNA is still under study)

"Radiation Exposure Recruitment Test" – Prior theories detailed synth immunity to radiation. Test had us bombard captive raider subjects with massive amounts of radiation.
Result – 1 deceased raider subject confirmed as synth. Synths are not immune to radiation. Commonwealth has 7 less raiders and 1 synth to worry about.

"1s and 0s Test" – link a synth component to a Robco 2077 MC-293480 Mainframe "Superterminal" to download and display component computational patterns and data for Termlink translation.
Result – 1 crashed Robco 2077 MC-293480 Mainframe "Superterminal"

Possible Tests:

"Synth Psych Test" – Conduct rigorous psychological testing on settlement suspected synths and combatant captives to compare answers.

Note - Get in contact with members of that "Compound" to exchange notes and possibly invite members into our ranks. Lead seems promising, provided that their work actually led somewhere.

"Synth Reproductive Test" – Conduct testing on human reproductive functioning and investigate high probability of synth sterility through intrauterine tissue, male genetic samples, fornication, and keep subjects under observation until results.

Note - Though this seems like the most reliable form of distinction between synths and humans due to the lack of synth reproductive evidence, I'm not comfortable observing captives "fornicate" to further the project. That, and there are many post-holocaust reasons for human sterility. Likely not the most accurate test, but encouraging results predicted. Best possible implementation in standard Brotherhood recruiting procedures with the best results producing drastic increases to the Squire population.

"Age Test" – Scan current and past records of members and noted cases from the Commonwealth populous to further investigate the synth theory of non-aging.

Note – Research team currently studying the degeneration rate of synthetic tissue. Necrosis occurs at the same standard human rate. Confirmed synths needed.

"Weight Test" – Increase the caloric intake of suspected synth captives, and observe for possible fluctuations or stagnation in weight.

Note – Metabolic rates in humans differ drastically. Also, the idea that synths don't gain weight is just a theory. Results expected to go either way

Conclusions:

The only reliable distinction between a synth and a human is the cranially embedded component. Although, the component itself is not shown on any current medical tests at the Brotherhood's disposal. Due to that factor, the only way to confirm if a human is actually a synth is after the autopsy. What we need are KNOWN synths being traced by the Institute to actually compare them with a human subject. However, getting known synths is difficult to do under the current orders from high command that say synths are "Kill on sight." After the Institute network data is encrypted, hopefully we'll find out more data on the synth process, or maybe even a list of synth surface agents. I am currently attempting to approach Elder Maxson about the possibility of acquiring confirmed synths for my research, but everyone around here is busy with all that's happening.

Lastly, while we await the results of the items we sent to Citadel, I have authorized preparations for the possible tests I listed above. The Synth Reproductive Test seems the most promising, and I have recently decided to volunteer myself for the burden of fornicating with the captive "Feminine" synth variant to test their sterility. I do not take pleasure in this, but if it means potential success in the uprooting of these abominations, I will do so with a heavy but dutiful heart.

- Senior Scribe Mac Brown.

Legacy: Senior Scribe Mac Brown continues to serve with distinction. The most recent status of the project has yet to be disclosed.

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