A <scp>GIS</scp>‐based Quantitative Approach for the Search of Clandestine Graves, Italy

Somma, Roberta; Cascio, Maria; Silvestro, Massimiliano; Torre, Eliana do Nascimento

doi:10.1111/1556-4029.13677

Cited by 15 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…15 • 35 48.65 E, Elevation 70 m a.s.l.). The substrate is composed of Quaternary siliciclastic sedimentary rocks (the Pleistocene gravels and sands of the Messina Formation [72][73][74]) overlain by topsoil with a thin litter layer where a pine and oak wood is developed [75]. In the soil on the campus crime scene, the holes for the concealment were dug by pick and shovel, being a difficult diggable soil [76].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in Flipped Classrooms for Teaching and Learning Forensic Geology

Somma

2022

Education Sciences

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One of the most famous criminal investigations involved the use of forensic geology to assist law enforcement agencies in the homicide case of the Italian honorable Aldo Moro. Notwithstanding this important tribute to forensic geology, in Italy, the role and value of using geological and soil materials (known as earth materials) to support law enforcement agencies in solving criminal investigations remain uncommon. This absence may be due to few educational courses for geology undergraduates/graduates devoted to laboratory and field training in forensic geology. The flipped classroom model may encourage a modern educational approach for teaching and learning forensic geology. The designed flipped classroom model applies theoretical concepts for forensic geology, which is learned by the attendees at home, whereas the class activities are devoted to laboratory and field experiences assisted by teaching staff. The laboratory activities involve techniques for collecting geological trace evidence and comparing color/sedimentological/mineralogical/microfossil features, whereas the field experiences consist of sampling strategies, search activities for burials, and field surveying. This approach has been trialed by the Messina University since 2014 and represents a successful tool for multitasking teaching and learning aimed to further develop forensic geology, encourage the inclusion of forensic geologists within the police enforcement in Italy, and improve the knowledge of law experts such as prosecutors and defense lawyers.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in Flipped Classrooms for Teaching and Learning Forensic Geology

Somma

2022

Education Sciences

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“…Based on examples of forensic cases where graves have successfully been located, the most effective detection methods to date involve a variety of land-based geophysical techniques coupled with satellite imagery analysis, landscape survey on foot, and evidence of botanical or geological changes [39–42]. To put all of these into perspective and to explore the potential of the analysis of the landscape, geographical information systems (GIS) have been investigated as a method of targeting potential areas of interest [43,44]. For example, a GIS system was populated and used to narrow potential burial locations within Eastern Bosnia [45].…”

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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“…In recent years however, geographic profiling techniques have been applied to the location of clandestine graves (see Keatley et al 2021;Lundrigan and Canter 2001a, b;Moses 2019;Somma et al 2018). This recent application does not strictly abide to the above four assumptions, as the goal is to locate the BDSs and not necessarily where the offender's anchor points are.…”

Section: Geographic Profiling Techniques Used To Locate Clandestine Gravesmentioning

confidence: 99%

More than an Offender Location Tool: Geographic Profiling and Body Deposition Sites

Berezowski

MacGregor

Ellis

et al. 2021

J Police Crim Psych

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In homicide cases, it is difficult to provide resolution for the bereaved or to obtain a successful criminal conviction of the guilty party when no body is found. Since the mid-nineteenth century, geographic and environmental patterns have been used to better understand the relationship between crime and its environment. Now known as geographic profiling, practitioners in this field amalgamate criminological, psychological, and geographical knowledge, as well as aspects of mathematics, statistics, and physics to identify spatial patterns associated with criminal behaviour as a means of locating anchor points of an offender (where they live, or work). The same techniques can also be used to locate the covert body deposition sites of their victims. This paper aims to (1) provide a brief summary of criminal behaviour and the environment and how understanding their relationship can be helpful to geographic profiling, (2) amalgamate the available literature on the application of geographic profiling in locating clandestine graves (as most documented uses are to locate offender residences), and (3) include a geographic profile of Ivan Milat, an Australian serial killer (officially) active from 1989 to 1992, demonstrating how geographic profiling techniques can help to identify additional victims and potential body deposition sites. The information in this review will be helpful to law enforcement and practitioners to improve missing persons investigations and searches for clandestine graves.

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A GIS‐based Quantitative Approach for the Search of Clandestine Graves, Italy

Cited by 15 publications

References 36 publications

Advances in Flipped Classrooms for Teaching and Learning Forensic Geology

Advances in Flipped Classrooms for Teaching and Learning Forensic Geology

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

More than an Offender Location Tool: Geographic Profiling and Body Deposition Sites

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