Comparison of time-lapse GPR and resistivity over simulated clandestine graves

Pringle, J.K.; Jervis, J.R.; Tuckwell, G.T.

Abstract

Forensic geophysics should be an invaluable tool to assist search teams to detect and locate clandestine graves of buried murder victims. At present however, geophysics is under-utilised and currently used techniques may not be optimal for specific targets or sites. There is a need for geophysical datasets to be collected over known burial sites for varying time periods post-burial. A study site was created with a naked and wrapped pig cadaver. The dimensions are based on available statistics of discovered burials. Monthly surveys using resistivity, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) were performed post-burial. Resistivity results show low anomalies over the naked pig and a smaller high anomaly over the wrapped pig with respect to background values. ERT time-lapse data shows optimum survey periods for the naked and wrapped pigs to be 9 and 3 months respectively. GPR 2D profiles detected both burials, with the wrapped pig exhibiting stronger reflection events. Lower frequency (110 MHz) antennae were found to be the optimal frequency to detect pig burials.

Citation

Pringle, J., Jervis, J., & Tuckwell, G. (2009). Comparison of time-lapse GPR and resistivity over simulated clandestine graves. . https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.20146988

• Conference Name: Near Surface 2009: 15th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics
• Conference Location: Dublin, Ireland
• Start Date: Sep 7, 2009
• End Date: Sep 9, 2009
• Publication Date: 2009-09
• Publicly Available Date: May 26, 2023
• Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers
• Series Title: EAGE Near Surface Geophysics 2009
• ISBN: 978-90-73781-72-6
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.20146988
• Keywords: forensic geophysics, forensic science
• Publisher URL: http://www.earthdoc.org/detail.php?pubid=32239