Search Results (11)

Forensic entomologists use insect development, especially in blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae), to estimate the minimum postmortem interval (mPMI). Since insect activity is driven mainly by temperature, understanding geographic and seasonal variation in community composition is critical. In the southeastern United States, approximately 10 blow fly species dominate, generally classified as “summer-active” or “winter-active” flies. We studied their presence and abundance during winter/spring and summer/fall transitions across the Georgia Fall Line (GFL), a major geophysical boundary separating the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. Here we show that community structure was shaped more by regional biogeography and seasonal transitions, than by current temperature. Three species; Calliphora livida, Lucilia coeruleiviridis, and Cochliomyia macellaria accounted for over 70% of seasonal variation. Fly communities differed sharply across the GFL and shifted between seasonal transitions. Recognizing these geographic and temporal patterns can help forensic entomologists produce more accurate mPMI estimates in death investigations. Full article

The identification of unmarked graves is important in archaeology, forensics, and cemetery management, but invasive methods are often restricted due to ethical or cultural concerns. This necessitates the use of non-invasive geophysical techniques. Our study demonstrates the potential of induced polarization (IP) imaging as a non-invasive remote sensing technique specifically suited for detecting and characterizing unmarked graves. IP leverages changes in the electrical properties of soil and pore water, influenced by the accumulation of organic matter from decomposition processes. Measurements were conducted at an inactive cemetery using non-invasive textile electrodes to map a documented grave from the early 1990s, with a survey design optimized for high spatial resolution. The results reveal a distinct polarizable anomaly at a 0.75–1.0 m depth with phase shifts exceeding 12 mrad, attributed to organic carbon from wooden burial boxes, and a plume-shaped conductive anomaly indicating the migration of dissolved organic matter. While electrical conductivity alone yielded diffuse grave boundaries, the polarization response sharply delineated the grave, aligning with photographic documentation. These findings underscore the value of IP imaging as a non-invasive, data-driven approach for the accurate localization and characterization of graves. The methodology presented here offers a promising new tool for archaeological prospection and forensic search operations, expanding the geophysical toolkit available for remote sensing in culturally and legally sensitive contexts. Full article

This case report presents a multidisciplinary forensic investigation into a cold case involving a missing person in Italy, likely linked to a homicide that occurred in 2008. The investigation applied a standardized protocol integrating satellite imagery analysis, site reconnaissance, vegetation clearance, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and cadaver dog (K9) deployment. A dedicated decision tree guided each phase, allowing for efficient allocation of resources and minimizing investigative delays. Although no human remains were recovered, the case demonstrates the practical utility and operational robustness of a structured, evidence-based model that supports decision-making even in the absence of positive findings. The approach highlights the relevance of “negative” results, which, when derived through scientifically validated procedures, offer substantial value by excluding burial scenarios with a high degree of reliability. This case is particularly significant in the Italian forensic context, where the adoption of standardized search protocols remains limited, especially in complex outdoor environments. The integration of geophysical, remote sensing, and canine methodologies—rooted in forensic geoarchaeology—provides a replicable framework that enhances both investigative effectiveness and the evidentiary admissibility of findings in court. The protocol illustrated in this study supports the consistent evaluation of large and morphologically complex areas, reduces the risk of interpretive error, and reinforces the transparency and scientific rigor expected in judicial settings. As such, it offers a model for improving forensic search strategies in both national and international contexts, particularly in long-standing or high-profile missing persons cases. Full article

Locating clandestine graves presents significant challenges to law enforcement agencies, necessitating the testing of grave detection techniques. This experimental study, conducted under Australian field conditions, assesses the effectiveness of time-lapse ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) in detecting pig burials as simulated forensic cases. The research addresses two key questions: (1) observability of graves using GPR and ERT, and (2) changes in geophysical responses with reference to changing climatic conditions. The principal novelty of this research is its Australian focus—this is the first time-lapse GPR and ERT study used to locate clandestine graves in Australia. The results reveal that both GPR and ERT can detect graves; however, ERT demonstrates greater suitability in homogeneous soil and anomalously wet climate conditions, with the detectability affected by grave depth. This project also found that resistivity values are likely influenced by soil moisture and decomposition fluids; however, these parameters were not directly measured in this study. Contrastingly, although GPR successfully achieved 2 m penetration in each survey, the site’s undeveloped soil likely resulted in inconsistent detectability. The findings underscore the significance of site-specific factors when employing GPR and/or ERT for grave detection, including soil homogeneity, climate conditions, water percolation, and body decomposition state. These findings offer practical insights into each technique’s utility as a search tool for missing persons, aiding law enforcement agencies with homicide cases involving covert graves. Full article

Forensic geoarchaeology provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to investigating crime scenes. This field combines the techniques and methods of archaeology, geology, geophysics, and remote sensing, to provide a more comprehensive picture of the events that have occurred at a site. Forensic geoarchaeologists can not only provide valuable information about the context of a crime scene but also help reconstruct past events and collect relevant information about missing persons. Moreover, the use of geospatial technologies and the analysis of evidence together with a vast range of scientific methods and techniques help forensic geoarchaeologists provide compelling and reliable evidence before courts and law enforcement agencies. Although some reticence still prevails among Italians about recognizing forensic geoarchaeology as a fundamental discipline vis-a-vis crime scenes, the recognition of its vital significance is growing in Italy, thanks to the decision of the Italian Standards Organization (UNI) to standardize it alongside other fields of criminalistic expertise. Full article

The decomposition of a body is influenced by burial conditions, making it crucial to understand the impact of different conditions for accurate grave detection. Geophysical techniques using drones have gained popularity in locating clandestine graves, offering non-invasive methods for detecting surface and subsurface irregularities. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is an effective technology for identifying potential grave locations without disturbance. This research aimed to prototype a drone system integrating GPR to assist in grave localization and to develop software for data management. Initial experiments compared GPR with other technologies, demonstrating its valuable applicability. It is suitable for various decomposition stages and soil types, although certain soil compositions have limitations. The research used the DJI M600 Pro drone and a drone-based GPR system enhanced by the real-time kinematic (RTK) global positioning system (GPS) for precision and autonomy. Tests with simulated graves and cadavers validated the system’s performance, evaluating optimal altitude, speed, and obstacle avoidance techniques. Furthermore, global and local planning algorithms ensured efficient and obstacle-free flight paths. The results highlighted the potential of the drone-based GPR system in locating clandestine graves while minimizing disturbance, contributing to the development of effective tools for forensic investigations and crime scene analysis. Full article

During forensic archaeological research conducted in 2021 in the Comacchio Lagoon (FE), we detected new data concerning the ancient local hydrography to the west of Argine Agosta, an ancient bank, in Valle Fossa di Porto. A systematic campaign of geophysical surveys for heritage and archaeology was conducted with a hydrographic drone equipped with a single-beam bathymetric sensor echo sounder, sub-bottom profiler, and side-scan sonar. In combination with the indirect non-invasive investigations, systematic surveys of the walkable areas were also completed. These remote-sensing studies have relocated the River Vatrenus palaeo-watercourse, while visual census have brought to light a system of wooden palisades with floors made of wood associated with some scattered finds belonging to the material culture dating back to the Mediaeval and Renaissance periods. A preview of the results of this case study is presented here, contributing to the reconstruction of the ancient landscape and waterscape area of the Valle Fossa di Porto. Full article

In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region, geophysical, meteorological and hydrological disasters are increasing every year. With significantly limited resources, these countries are naturally forced to absorb lessons from these disasters. One of the fundamental activities during this learning task remains the need to standardize the forensic reporting process. Like all academic disciplines, engineering is exceptional in its application to the forensic field. This feature makes it a unique input to the investigation of hydrological and environmental catastrophes. Based on the fundamental concepts of forensic investigation, ten principles for properly conducting forensic hydrology studies are proposed. The ten principles proposed are: (i) Principle of use, (ii) production, (iii) principle of exchange, (iv) recognition, (v) correspondence, (vi) reconstruction, (vii) principle of probability, (viii) uncertainty, (ix) principle of certainty, and (x) conclusion principle. A hypothetical case of urban infrastructure failure is used to explain, in detail, each of the proposed principles. This paper proposes a methodology to be considered as a reference point for a forensic hydrological analysis to be used at the LAC region. Full article

The international workshop ‘Forensic Search and Recovery of Clandestine Graves’ took place over two days in 2021 in Wroclaw, Poland. The goal of the workshop was to improve search methods and techniques related to the examination of clandestine burial sites. Geophysical methods were used by an international team of multi-disciplinary specialists to detect simulated burial sites. The training focused on testing methods, including Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR), to verify the effectiveness of the methods in the search for two features representing clandestine burials. The forensic community in Central European countries, including Poland, has been slow to adopt these technologies due to controversial results. While geophysical research is successfully carried out in archaeological research and forensic contexts internationally, its application in the activities of the prosecutor’s office and the police in Poland has been relatively unsuccessful. This has resulted in several controversies related primarily to the erroneous expectations of how the methods are successfully applied. This may be the result of operator inexperience in applying these methods to the search for clandestine burials. This training paired an experienced GPR operator with law enforcement teams and archaeologists, leading to the successful discovery of simulated burials using GPR. Full article

The location of unmarked graves in forensic and archaeological investigations is legally and culturally important. In a forensic context, locating covert burials of missing persons can provide closure to the family, as well as facilitating the successful prosecution of the individual(s) responsible. Archaeologically, burials provide an important source of information about health, diet, physical anthropology, and culture. Despite the importance of these features, the location of unmarked graves with conventional archaeological and forensic techniques, such as excavation, is difficult and expensive. As a result, geophysical techniques have been widely applied to the location of unmarked graves as they are non-invasive, cost and time effective, and avoid the unnecessary disturbance of human remains. This article brings together the literature on ground penetrating radar (GPR), and two resistivity methods, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and fixed probe resistivity (FPR), on their ability to locate burials and reviews their use in forensic and archaeological investigations. This paper aims to provide law enforcement personnel, archaeologists, geophysicists, and interested academics with an overview of how these techniques work, how they have been previously applied to grave detection, and the strengths and weakness of these methods. Full article

Earthquakes represent one of the world’s most significant hazards in terms of damage to human and animal life, and property. Earthquakes also cause many other related fatalities and damage to urban structures. This paper presents the forensic investigation of failures induced by the Norcia 2016 earthquake in Italy. The detailed geophysical field investigations were carried out at selected locations in two cities: Rome and Amelia. The places of investigation were 150 km and 90 km, respectively, from the epicenter. A ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey was carried out at the sites to highlight structural failures, and included a partially damaged urban bridge, and the cracked wall of a private house. These failures have been discussed with reference to the field measurements carried out. In both cases, the GPR radargram showed clear lesions along with their geometry and location. This forensic geoscientific analysis highlights the importance of detecting structural damage immediately after a geohazard event to help plan proper interventions, efforts to prevent human losses and help law enforcement to focus their forensic investigations. Full article