Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for characterizing data flows within an in-band telemetry (INT) domain. First aggregated statistical data regarding a flow of INT packets is periodically received from a first aggregating network device. The flow of INT packets flows from an initiator network device via one or more transit network devices to a terminator network device. Second aggregated statistical data regarding the flow of INT packets is periodically received from a second aggregating network device. In response to comparing the first aggregated statistical data and the second aggregated statistical data, one or more dropped INT packets may be implicitly identified. Based on the one or more dropped INT packets in the flow of INT packets, a dropped INT packet notification may be provided.