Advanced Scientific Methods and Procedures in the Forensic Investigation of Clandestine Graves

Abstract

Our goal is to discuss the new technologies and procedures that we have developed for the discovery and recovery of buried victims. We argue that forensic investigations of clandestine graves must be grounded in the most advanced scientific methods and evidence-collection techniques available. A structured program that includes an interdisciplinary team of forensic scientists and law enforcement experts is proposed to facilitate all aspects of the investigative and legal process. Such issues are of great relevance because most legal jurisdictions have a number of cases each year and present operating procedures are not standardized. There is a clear need for national dialog to improve our investigative efforts and insure best practices in forensic science across legal jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies.

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

“…Current forensic search methods to detect both isolated and mass clandestine burials of murder victims are highly varied and have been reviewed elsewhere [17,18], with best practice suggesting a phased approach, moving from large-scale remote sensing methods [19] down to initial ground reconnaissance [20] and control studies before full searches are initiated [21,22). 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].…”

The use of magnetic susceptibility as a forensic search tool

“…John Cassella and Staffordshire University are thanked for provided facilities and logistical support for the urban case study. For a successful criminal conviction to occur, it is often essential to locate forensically 18 important evidence [1]. The forensic objects being searched for vary from illegally buried drugs and weapons caches [6] to clandestine graves of murder victims [7] and mass genocide homogeneous rock Granite blocks had 4 and 6 sample positions, respectively, repeatedly 100 measured for their magnetic susceptibility (Fig.…”

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

“…The successful detection of a clandestine grave of a homicide victim brings closure to family members and gives the public confidence in criminal justice following a trial [1,2]. Accurate determination of the time since burial is also critical for forensic investigators to link suspects to or eliminating them from a crime [3].…”

“…Geoscientific methods are being increasingly utilised by forensic search teams for the detection and location of clandestinely buried material [4][5]. In the search for clandestine graves of murder victims, burials are usually shallow (less than 3 m and typically 0.5 m below ground level or bgl [6]), but current detection rates are low and, without locating the victim's body, obtaining a successful conviction can be very difficult [1,2]. Search investigators will use a variety of proved methods, which include scenariobased, feature focused, intelligence-led and systematic Standard Operating Procedures [1,2].…”

“…In the search for clandestine graves of murder victims, burials are usually shallow (less than 3 m and typically 0.5 m below ground level or bgl [6]), but current detection rates are low and, without locating the victim's body, obtaining a successful conviction can be very difficult [1,2]. Search investigators will use a variety of proved methods, which include scenariobased, feature focused, intelligence-led and systematic Standard Operating Procedures [1,2]. SOPs normally work through sequential workflows, from reviewing case information, sourcing background information and remote data analysis, before deciding upon search strategies, undergoing site reconnaissance and phased site investigations, and lastly intrusively investigating anomalous areas to give a success/failure exit strategy (see Fig.…”