Helicopter thermal imaging for detecting insect infested cadavers

Amendt, Jens; Rodner, Sandra; Schuch, Claus-Peter; Sprenger, H.; Weidlich, Lars; Reckel, Frank

doi:10.1016/j.scijus.2017.04.008

Cited by 21 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Detectability was operationally unreliable above 30 m to subject. Compared with studies focused on helicopter-mounted FLIR cameras [8,9], our results and those of Bodnar et al Lee et al [9] compared thermal detection of clothed vs unclothed bodies using a helicopter-mounted FLIR camera and reported that when insect activity was greatest there was no difference in thermal signatures between the treatments. However, when the temperature differential was less distinct, clothing appeared to limit heat emission and hence detection by the FLIR camera.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 42%

“…It is during the first four stages that greatest thermal emission is likely to occur. Although thermal imaging and other remote sensing tools (e.g., LiDAR) have been utilized to detect clandestine graves based on the thermal characteristics of disturbed soils (see [5,6]), there is a growing body of evidence for using thermal imaging for detecting remains directly [7][8][9][10], including as a direct quantitative measure of internal maggot mass temperature [1]. These previous studies have demonstrated successful thermal detection of decomposing remains, with greatest thermal contrast to the adjacent soil occurring during peak insect activity.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Application of forward‐looking infrared (FLIR) imaging from an unmanned aerial platform in the search for decomposing remains

Butters

Krosch

Roberts

et al. 2020

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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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

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 42%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of forward‐looking infrared (FLIR) imaging from an unmanned aerial platform in the search for decomposing remains

Butters

Krosch

Roberts

et al. 2020

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…Cadavers decomposing in both of these scenarios will be exposed to insect activity, however insect numbers are expected to be smaller and more localised as the water and coverings limit larval access. Some researchers have already investigated the use of aircraft mounted thermal imaging on locating decomposing remains (57,62), but with current policing budget cuts it may be worthwhile to look at drone-mounted thermal imaging as a cheaper alternative for police forces, focusing on their ability to detect remains at different heights, speeds and over different types of terrain.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary hand-held thermal imaging results of sequential monitoring of a simulated deceased individual on terrestrial ground

Wisniewski¹,

Pringle²,

Heaton³

2020

Preprint

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Thermal imaging is commonly used by forensic search investigators to locate missing persons, but there is little research on it’s actual effectiveness to detect individuals after death. This paper aims to answer fundamental questions on how long thermal imaging is effective to detect a body lying on the surface and when is the optimal time in a day to survey. A simulated murder victim, using a freshly dispatched pig (Sus scrofa) carcass, was left on the soil surface of a test site and imaged three times a day over a 61-day study period. Images were quantitatively analysed to determine what the relative thermal response the cadaver had with respect to background values, with results corrected for daily temperature (ADD) and decomposition rate (TBS scores). Results evidenced the surface cadaver could be detectable throughout the 61 day study period, but there were differences depending on when the survey was conducted during the day. Morning surveys were found to be optimal up to 10 days PMI (0-90 ADD), evening/dusk surveys optimal from 10 to 40 days PMI (90-400 ADD), midday surveys optimal from 40 to 50 days PMI (400-530 ADD) and then evening surveys to the end of the 61-day (400-680 ADD) study period. Implications suggest that thermal imaging is recommended to detect missing persons even after death and surveys should be undertaken at specific time periods during the day to improve search detection success if PMI can be estimated.

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“…Remote sensing methods have been employed by the military to map the movement of forces both friendly and aggressive [56], and in areas as diverse as land management, archaeology [57], animal poaching, mining and prospecting. In addition, remote sensing methods have been used to investigate scenes of crime [59], as well as to search for human remains [60,61] and gravesites [45,62,63].…”

Section: Methods Of Detectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring non-invasive approaches to assist in the detection of clandestine human burials: developing a way forward

Blau

Sterenberg

Weeden³

et al. 2018

Forensic Sciences Research

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The analyses of physical evidence recovered from clandestine single and mass graves have been demonstrated to be of significant evidential and/or investigative value for both court purposes and humanitarian investigations. The detection of these types of graves is, therefore, pivotal to forensic investigations. This article reviews different remote and ground-based methods that have been used to attempt to detect deliberately concealed burial sites and summarizes the experimental research that has, to date, been undertaken in order to improve grave detection. The article then presents the preliminary findings of research being undertaken at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER). This research, the first of its kind to be undertaken in the southern hemisphere, is based on experimental single and mass graves using human cadavers. The research is centred on current remote sensing methods and techniques combined with the analysis of the effects of below-ground temperature and moisture and ground-based weather data. It is hoped that identifying successful sensors and detectors will be beneficial to national and international agencies that are involved in forensic as well as humanitarian investigations that require the detection of deliberately concealed gravesites.

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Helicopter thermal imaging for detecting insect infested cadavers

Cited by 21 publications

References 22 publications

Application of forward‐looking infrared (FLIR) imaging from an unmanned aerial platform in the search for decomposing remains

Application of forward‐looking infrared (FLIR) imaging from an unmanned aerial platform in the search for decomposing remains

Preliminary hand-held thermal imaging results of sequential monitoring of a simulated deceased individual on terrestrial ground

Exploring non-invasive approaches to assist in the detection of clandestine human burials: developing a way forward

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