Police officers are often required to search geographically varied and large areas for human remains during the early stages of death investigations; including, misadventure, homicide, and mass casualties (e.g., terrorism, natural disasters). In many jurisdictions, current practice for searching large, open areas is by physical inspection by personnel, dogs trained to detect the scent of human decomposition (="cadaver dogs"), and aerial search using manned helicopters. Such methods have limitations, especially in rugged, dangerous, or densely