Geophysics and the search of freshwater bodies: A review

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].…”

Detecting submerged objects: The application of side scan sonar to forensic contexts

“…In recent years, forensic personnel involved in water search and rescue applications have integrated geophysics into their search protocols [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Waterproof hand-held geophysical tools are commonly used and can be operated by divers when searching for submersed metallic weapons.…”

“…It is also possible to deploy divers or an ROV with a camera to investigate suspicious features detected after first performing a geophysical search of a larger area with ground penetrating radar (GPR) and side scan sonar from a boat. Ground-penetrating radar has been successfully used to locate submerged bodies and evidence [6][7][8], and the use of side scan sonar has been gaining in popularity for law enforcement agencies in recent years [1][2][3][4][5]9,10]. In aquatic environments, geophysical tools have additional benefits, such as decreasing the potential risk to divers, allowing searches to continue after nightfall, and decreasing the sediment disturbance that would be caused by divers.…”

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

“…Queens University Belfast (QUB) have been leading the field in Water-Penetrating Radar (WPR) studies to detect submerged objects, with reviews [23] and research as well as best practice of search using geoscience methods [5] and historical cemetery research [24]. They are also very experienced in environmental forensic research.…”