NCJ Number
182108
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 27 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2000 Pages: 40-44
Editor(s)
Ronnie Paynter
Date Published
April 2000
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article advocates locating human remains using an interdisciplinary approach that involves law enforcement, geophysics and chemist technicians, academics, and private volunteers and views the site of a clandestine grave as a crime scene.
Abstract
The process of searching for a clandestine grave involves defining and refining areas of high potential. Constant interaction should occur between techniques for detecting targets and strategies for determining their forensic potential. The role of technology in the search for a clandestine grave is to target potential sub-surface disturbances. The delay of human remains can be detected using dogs and gas detectors and by testing soil pH. These methods, however, are intrusive and are of practical use only in some areas. Other techniques that can be used to locate a clandestine grave site include satellite photography, botany and geophysics techniques, infrared surveillance systems, ground-penetrating radar, and metal detectors. Regardless of what technique is used, when signs of a disturbance are evident, the possibility of a human burial should be pursued. 3 photographs