Assessing optical remote sensing for grave detection

Silván-Cárdenas, José Luis; Garza, Ana Luz Caccavari; Quinto‐Sanchez, Mirsha; Madrigal-Gómez, José Manuel; Coronado-Juárez, Erick; Quiroz-Suarez, D.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.111064

Cited by 16 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…21 With this assumption in mind, Silvan-Cardenas et al. 21 used 10 farm pig carcases to reproduce a burial site, burying the animals at depths ranging from 1.1 to 1.5 metres. The aerial hyperspectral images acquired over variable time ranges showed some hyperspectral indices actually useable in order to detect nitrogen-enrichment present in plants.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It should be emphasised that the substances evolving from a buried decaying corpse (especially nitrogen), may affect chlorophyll concentrations in the plants growing over the pit as a result of being fed by the aforementioned substances. 21 With this assumption in mind, Silvan-Cardenas et al 21 used 10 farm pig carcases to reproduce a burial site, burying the animals at depths ranging from 1.1 to 1.5 metres. The aerial hyperspectral images acquired over variable time ranges showed some hyperspectral indices actually useable in order to detect nitrogen-enrichment present in plants.…”

Section: Further Forensic Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Forensic applications of hyperspectral imaging technique: a narrative review

et al. 2022

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Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) collects and processes information from the entire electromagnetic spectrum to obtain the spectrum of each pixel in the image of a scene, with the aim of finding objects and identifying materials. It is a non-contact, non-destructive technology that can be used without modifying or altering the analysed target. Forensic analysis and crime scene investigations are two of the most investigated fields of application, being able to detect and analyse many types of evidence. In this paper we analysed the most commonly reported forensic science applications. The literature indicates that the fields in which HSI appears most promising are the analysis of blood traces, document forgery, gunshot residues and the identification of fingerprints.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Further Forensic Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic applications of hyperspectral imaging technique: a narrative review

et al. 2022

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“…With the availability of commercial-grade drones, initial studies used off-the-shelf RGB cameras [4] or modified RGB cameras such as those used in Evers and Masters [6]. As drone-mounted multi-and hyperspectral sensors became available, a diverse range of studies over single and mass burials ensued: Urbanova et al [7]; Butters et al [8]; Evers and Masters [6]; Brabazon et al [9]; Murray et al [10]; Dozal et al [11]; and Silvan-Cardenas [12]. Many of these studies involved simulated graves using pigs or cattle, which were monitored over months or years, which is common practice in taphonomy [11,12].…”

Section: Introduction 1literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More sophisticated technology such as hyperspectral data is being used for single or multi-grave detection, most recently by Silván-Cárdenas et al [12]. While the potential of hyperspectral data to detect anomalies in soil and vegetation is considerably greater than multispectral imaging, hyperspectral data often requires complex computation and algorithms, which is outside the remit of many scientists, humanitarian organisations and law enforcement [14].…”

Section: Introduction 1literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Single Burials Using Multispectral Drone Data: Three Case Studies

Rocke

Ruffell

2022

Forensic Sciences

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Natural burials are interments where a body is buried without embalming fluids or coffins. These burial grounds are ideal locations for retrospective multispectral analysis of non-conventional single burials as the age and location of each grave is documented. The detection of disturbed soil under the influence of human decomposition has been well-studied, but lacks the temporal component needed for characterising simulated clandestine burials. A critical gap in the literature is how these burials re-vegetate and to what extent soil profiles re-establish over years or decades. Multispectral drone data from three natural burial sites in southern U.K. are documented here, with trends in re-vegetation from bare soil to full recovery in graves as old as 2005. As with many burial detection techniques, environmental influence is a limiting variable to universal use of this method. However, we suggest a timeline over which single burial sites in this location reach detection limits and possible reasons for variations in these limits.

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“…The continuous evolution of optical image capture devices, in any of its variants, has contributed, not without some initial scepticism, to the definitive incorporation of this technology into the field of Forensic Sciences, being today an essential tool for any forensic researcher. This progress, especially in the last 45 years with the emergence of electronics and computing in the photography sector, has not only increased the performance of this technology but also improving the sensitivity, precision and definition of current optical devices [ 12 , 13 ]. In addition, the appearance of new techniques and capture image devices has led to greater and faster access to the latent information to be obtained, regardless of whether or not they are initially visible.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Location of Latent Forensic Traces Using Multispectral Bands

Mosquera¹,

Alarcos

Gardel

2022

Sensors

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In this paper, a conventional camera modified to capture multispectral images, has been used to locate latent forensic traces with a smart combination of wavelength filters, capturing angle, and illumination sources. There are commercial multispectral capture devices adapted to the specific tasks of the police, but due to their high cost and operation not well adapted to the field work in a crime scene, they are not currently used by forensic units. In our work, we have used a digital SLR camera modified to obtain a nominal sensitivity beyond the visible spectrum. The goal is to obtain forensic evidences from a crime scene using the multispectral camera by an expert in the field knowing which wavelength filters and correct illumination sources should be used, making visible latent evidences hidden from the human-eye. In this paper, we show a procedure to retrieve from latent forensic traces, showing the validity of the system in different real cases (blood stains, hidden/erased tattoos, unlocking patterns on mobile devices). This work opens the possibility of applying multispectral inspections in the forensic field specially for operational units for the location of latent through non-invasive optical procedures.

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Assessing optical remote sensing for grave detection

Cited by 16 publications

References 31 publications

Forensic applications of hyperspectral imaging technique: a narrative review

Forensic applications of hyperspectral imaging technique: a narrative review

Detection of Single Burials Using Multispectral Drone Data: Three Case Studies

Location of Latent Forensic Traces Using Multispectral Bands

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