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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.

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


Authors

John R. Jervis

Daniel Roberts

Henry C. Dick

Kristopher D. Wisniewski

Nigel J. Cassidy

John P. Cassella



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.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 30, 2015
Online Publication Date Jan 4, 2016
Publication Date 2016-03
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of Forensic Sciences
Print ISSN 0022-1198
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
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13009

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