[ 01 ]
Generated vs edited
A generated image has no camera behind it, so camera-noise patterns are absent or inconsistent. An edited photo has a real camera origin but contains regions that were changed, pasted or removed. Different tests expose each.
[ 02 ]
Tests that work without a model
Error level analysis re-saves the image and compares how regions respond. Noise residual checks look for blocks that do not match. Copy-move search finds duplicated regions. Metadata and thumbnail comparison finds contradictions between claim and content.
[ 03 ]
Limits
Screenshots, resizing and heavy compression erase evidence. Reports should say so rather than force a verdict.
Quick answers
Can SpearTrace tell if a photo was made by AI?
It reports measurable inconsistencies and states confidence. It does not claim to identify every generator.
Can it find Photoshop edits?
It can flag regions that behave differently, which often indicates editing, and shows the evidence.