Electrical resistivity survey to search for a recent clandestine burial of a homicide victim, UK

Pringle, Jamie K.; Jervis, John R.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.04.023

Cited by 61 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…These full searches have also involved a variety of methods, including forensic geomorphology [20], forensic botany [23,24] and entomology [25,26], scent-trained search dogs [27,28], physical probing [29][30][31], thanatochemistry [32][33][34] and near-surface geophysics [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary results of sequential monitoring of simulated clandestine graves in Colombia, South America, using ground penetrating radar and botany

Molina

Pringle

Saumett

et al. 2015

Forensic Science International

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary results of sequential monitoring of simulated clandestine graves in Colombia, South America, using ground penetrating radar and botany

Molina

Pringle

Saumett

et al. 2015

Forensic Science International

Self Cite

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“…Forensic site investigation methods vary depending upon the specific case, search site and numerous other factors that are reviewed elsewhere [4], but include, if appropriate, scenttrained cadaver dogs [7], forensic geomorphology [8], forensic botany [9] and entomology [10], near-surface geophysics [11][12][13], intrusive probing [14] and soil analysis [15][16][17][18] -see Table 1. Research using simulated clandestine grave burials provide critical information on optimal detection method(s), equipment configuration(s), sample point spacings, etc., especially if long-term monitoring are undertaken [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Collaborative Geophysical Monitoring of Simulated Forensic 'Crime Scenes’ in the U.K.

Pringle¹,

Cassella²,

Williams³

et al. 2013

Proceedings

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SummaryThis paper provides an overview of current collaborative academic forensic geophysics research on various U.K. test sites to detail the importance of forensic simulated burial sites for forensic search investigators. Academic forensic test sites contain a variety of buried material objects that have been buried for various periods. The team also have access to historical burial grounds for data collection if required. Research is gaining an understanding of optimal search technique(s) for different buried targets, optimum methodologies and sequential search workflows. From this research, additionally a detailed understanding of the local depositional environment(s), particularly soil type(s), age/style of burial and local climate datasets are critical to have a successful detection. Ongoing long-term monitoring efforts are detailing optimal time windows for searches and techniques. Main Objectives 1.Describe current forensic search best practice 2. Detail collaborative UK academic network 3. Describe forensic geophysics knowledge 4. Detail major forensic geophysics UK sites Describe research findings New Aspects CoveredDetails UK academic forensic test sites and long-term studies to characterise detection technique(s), equipment configuration(s), data spacings/datasets to assist forensic search teams. Topics8. Near surface geophysics for forensic applications 2.

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“…One key and high-profile 'target' for forensic search teams to detect and locate are human remains buried within clandestine graves (Harrison and Donnelly 2009 This study was conducted to systematically assess the changing geophysical response of simulated clandestine graves during the three years after burial. The simulated clandestine burial depths of 0.5 m below present ground level (bgl) were based on the average depths of discovered burials (see Pringle et al 2010), with it being deemed important to simulate both naked and wrapped burials as statistics from discovered clandestine burials showed these to be evenly divided (Hunter and Cox 2005). There are many potential near-surface geophysical search techniques for these scenarios (see Pringle et al 2008).…”

Section: Topics Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geophysical Monitoring of Simulated Clandestine Graves Using Electrical and GPR Methods - 0-3 Years after Burial

Pringle¹,

Jervis²,

Hansen³

et al. 2011

Proceedings

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SummaryThis study provides forensic search teams with systematic geophysical monitoring data over simulated clandestine graves for comparison to active cases. Simulated 'wrapped' and 'naked' burials were created. Multi-geophysical surveys were collected over a three-year monitoring period. Bulk ground resistivity, Electrical Resistivity Imaging, multi-frequency Ground Penetrating Radar and grave 'soil water' conductivity data were collected. Resistivity surveys revealed the naked burial had consistently low-resistivity anomalies, whereas the wrapped burial which had small, varying highresistivity anomalies. GPR 110-900 MHz frequency surveys showed the wrapped burial could be detected throughout, with the 'naked' burial difficult to resolve after 18 months. 225 MHz frequency data was optimal. 'Soil water' analyses showed rapidly increasing (year one), slowly increasing (year two) and decreasing (year three) conductivity values. Results suggest resistivity and GPR surveys should be collected if target 'wrapping' is unknown, with winter to spring surveys optimal. Resistivity surveys should be collected in clay-rich soils. Main Objectives:1. Systematically monitor the geophysical responses of clandestine graves over a three-year burial interval. The selected geophysical monitoring methods were electrical (both fixedoffset surveys and electrical resistivity imaging 2D profiles) and multi-frequency GPR surveys.2. To determine, of the geophysical techniques and configurations investigated, which would be optimal to detect buried human remains in the different burial styles (naked and wrapped) and if this changed over time.3. To determine which dominant frequency GPR antennae would be optimal for forensic search teams to utilize for the detection of similar clandestine burials.4. To measure changes in the conductivity of soil-water within a grave, in order to better understand the geophysical survey data collected over the graves.5. To generate and calibrate 2D resistivity models of the survey site at yearly intervals to explain the changing resistivity responses.6. Simultaneously collect appropriate site data (rainfall and temperature) to allow comparisons with other research studies and criminal search investigations. New Aspects Covered:This study is the first to simultaneously collect multi-frequency GPR, fixed off-set and 2D ERI electrical surveys, grave 'leachate' conductivity measurements and site-specific factors (local climate, moisture content, porosity) etc over a three-year monitoring period. Results show surprising variations both temporally and seasonally, with winter surveys consistently

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Electrical resistivity survey to search for a recent clandestine burial of a homicide victim, UK

Cited by 61 publications

References 29 publications

Preliminary results of sequential monitoring of simulated clandestine graves in Colombia, South America, using ground penetrating radar and botany

Preliminary results of sequential monitoring of simulated clandestine graves in Colombia, South America, using ground penetrating radar and botany

Collaborative Geophysical Monitoring of Simulated Forensic 'Crime Scenes’ in the U.K.

Geophysical Monitoring of Simulated Clandestine Graves Using Electrical and GPR Methods - 0-3 Years after Burial

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