Traj command: BIC values

[Janelle Gravesande]

I have reviewed many examples of group-based trajectory modeling using the traj command. In all the examples that I've found, the BIC values are always negative. However, in my analysis, the BIC values are positive. Should the BIC values always be negative when using the traj command or can I expect positive BIC values as well? Thanks in advance!

[Janelle Gravesande]

I contacted Bobby Jones (who created the traj command) and he said that BIC values can be positive or negative depending on the data. He also said that the rule of maximum BIC for best fit holds true for both positive and negative values.