This report reviews the literature on the techniques used to locate human remains and clandestine graves that are used by forensic anthropologists and investigators. This paper critically examines multiple techniques including Human Remains Detection Dogs, Ground Penetrating Radar, Resistivity Surveys, Remote Sensing, Probing, Taphonomy, Soil Gas
Survey and Civilian searches, to determine their advantages, disadvantages, reliability and credibility in locating clandestine graves. There is currently no one method that is successful in every condition and geographical location. But with the development of technology and with a multidisciplinary approach, researchers will be able to develop a method that will work in every condition in all geographical locations, help bettering law enforcement.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Canines
Geophysical
Natural Methods
Human Searches
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This report investigates the efficacy of various forensic anthropological search techniques used to locate human remains and clandestine graves. The primary objective is to critically evaluate these methods—ranging from traditional canine searches to advanced geophysical technologies—to determine their reliability, limitations, and operational suitability across diverse geographical and environmental conditions.
- Comparison of traditional vs. modern forensic search technologies.
- Impact of environmental and geological variables on search success.
- Advancements in canine detection, including the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Utility of geophysical methods such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Resistivity Surveys.
- Integration of natural indicators and human-led search strategies in forensic investigations.
Excerpt from the Book
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is without doubt the easiest and most used technological based searching technique that used to locate human remains and clandestine graves. GPR is commonly used in archaeological and forensic investigations because the units are portable, accurate, non-invasive, and non-destructive (8, 9). It has been a well-accepted method not only in the archaeology world but for forensic purposes since it was first successfully used in 1986 (9). GPR works by transmitting and reflecting Electromagnetic (EM) wave energy (2). A GPR survey is conducted with two antennas, the first one transmits the EM waves via short pulses into the ground while the other antenna receives the reflected waves (8) which provide a picture of what is going on underneath the surface when viewed on the display panel.
What makes GPR one of the more popular methods to use to locate clandestine graves is that the investigator collects data, from the survey, in real time, which can be displayed on a black & white or coloured screen (10). The investigators immediately know if they have found a possible location of a grave when looking at the real time data. Not only is GPR good for real time data, but it has the best resolution of subsurface features out of all the other geophysical technologies (10, 11). This advantage adds to why GPR is so popular to use to locate clandestine graves. From this real time data and the high resolution, investigators can make preliminary assessments from the field (10), and can start excavations immediately. The size and the depth of the grave can also be measured from the real time data (10) which allows the investigators to have an idea of what they are excavating, and to make sure they do not miss evidence. Finally what makes GPR so useful is that is can be used over concrete, blacktop and fresh water (10). This is advantageous because other methods may or cannot locate graves in these specific areas, but GPR can do this without disrupting the surface.
Chapter Summary
Introduction: This chapter introduces the challenges of locating clandestine graves and outlines the aim of the review, which is to assess the success and limitations of various forensic search techniques.
Canines: This section details the role of Human Remains Detection (HRD) dogs, highlighting their sensitivity to scent while emphasizing the necessity for standardized training and the benefits of new technologies like VOC analysis.
Geophysical: This chapter evaluates technological approaches, specifically focusing on Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Resistivity Surveys as effective, non-invasive methods for subsurface anomaly detection.
Natural Methods: This section covers emerging techniques based on natural processes, including vegetation dynamics and soil gas surveying, to identify environmental changes caused by decomposition.
Human Searches: This chapter discusses the critical role of human-powered searches, including civilian reports and complex social networking analysis, in identifying clandestine graves in diverse terrains.
Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach to forensic searches to improve reliability across all geographical and environmental conditions.
Keywords
Forensic Anthropology, Clandestine Graves, Human Remains Detection, Ground Penetrating Radar, Resistivity Surveys, Decomposition, Volatile Organic Compounds, Taphonomy, Soil Gas Surveying, Remote Sensing, Forensic Investigation, Search Methodology, Vegetation Dynamics, Mass Graves, Environmental Profiling
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this review?
The review provides a comprehensive analysis of various techniques used by forensic anthropologists and investigators to locate human remains and clandestine graves, evaluating their success and limitations.
What are the main categories of search methods covered?
The work covers four main categories: canine-based methods, geophysical technologies, natural methods (taphonomy and gas analysis), and human-led search strategies.
What is the main research goal regarding forensic methods?
The goal is to determine the reliability and credibility of existing search techniques, noting that no single method is universally successful in all environments.
Which scientific methods are discussed for ground searching?
The paper discusses technical methods like Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Electrical Resistivity Surveys, and remote sensing, alongside biological methods like vegetation analysis and soil gas monitoring.
What is the focus of the main body of the text?
The main body examines the practical application, technical requirements, and environmental considerations for each search method, supported by literature from 1995 to 2014.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The work is characterized by terms such as clandestine grave detection, forensic taphonomy, subsurface geophysical survey, and canine odor detection.
How do volatile organic compounds (VOCs) assist in canine detection?
VOCs act as specific odor profiles that occur at different stages of decomposition, allowing dogs to be trained more precisely to identify human remains regardless of the decomposition state.
Why is the standardization of HRD dog training considered critical?
Standardization is vital because, without universal guidelines, the reliability and credibility of the dogs in legal proceedings can be questioned and their field performance remains inconsistent.
What makes Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) particularly useful?
GPR is valued because it provides real-time, high-resolution subsurface data and can be used on diverse surfaces such as concrete, blacktop, and water without disturbing the site.
How can civilians contribute to the discovery of clandestine graves?
Civilians often access secluded areas such as hiking trails and forests where law enforcement rarely goes; they also discover graves through accidental findings during home renovations or while walking pets.
- Quote paper
- Marissa Tremblett (Author), 2014, Searching Techniques in Forensic Anthropology, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/275643
