Long-term Geophysical Monitoring of Simulated Clandestine Graves using Electrical and Ground Penetrating Radar Methods: 4–6 Years After Burial

Pringle, Jamie K.; Jervis, John R.; Roberts, Daniel; Dick, Henry C.; Wisniewski, Kristopher D.; Cassidy, Nigel J.; Cassella, John P.

Abstract

This ongoing monitoring study provides forensic search teams with systematic geophysical data over simulated clandestine graves for comparison to active cases. Simulated ‘wrapped’, ‘naked’ and ‘control’ burials were created. Multiple geophysical surveys were collected over six-years, here showing data from four to six years after burial. Electrical resistivity (twin electrode and ERI), multi-frequency GPR, grave and background soilwater were collected. Resistivity surveys revealed the naked burial had low-resistivity anomalies up to year four but then difficult to image, whereas the wrapped burial had consistent large high-resistivity anomalies. GPR 110-900 MHz frequency surveys showed the wrapped burial could be detected throughout, but the naked burial was either not detectable or poorly resolved. 225 MHz frequency GPR data were optimal. Soil water analyses showed decreasing (year four-five) to background (year six) conductivity values. Results suggest both resistivity and GPR surveying if burial style unknown, with winter to spring surveys optimal and increasingly important as time increases.

Citation

Pringle, J. K., Jervis, J. R., Roberts, D., Dick, H. C., Wisniewski, K. D., Cassidy, N. J., & Cassella, J. P. (2016). Long-term Geophysical Monitoring of Simulated Clandestine Graves using Electrical and Ground Penetrating Radar Methods: 4–6 Years After Burial. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 61(2), 309-321. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13009

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 30, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Jan 4, 2016
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Publicly Available Date: May 26, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences
• Print ISSN: 0022-1198
• Electronic ISSN: 1556-4029
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 61
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 309-321
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13009
• Keywords: forensic science, forensic geophysics, clandestine grave, monitoring, electrical resistivity, ground penetrating radar, conductivity
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/404066
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13009