Success Rate of Forensic Surface Search for Osseous Remains in a New England, USA, Environment

Pokines, James T.; Robinson, S; Mansz, Jasmine; Heidel, Nora; Jasny, Kalan; Gilligan, Jamie; Carmona, Arlett Johanna; Kroll, Jennifer; Lavigne, Skye; Calle, Sergio

doi:10.5744/fa.2018.1029

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Several detection methods are currently available for the discovery of deceased victims. These methods include visual search efforts by human search teams, 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 the use of remote-imaging techniques, 8 , 9 , 10 and the implementation of cadaver-detection dogs. 11 The success of physical ground searches conducted by search teams relies on visual clues, including physical changes to the immediate surrounding environment, such as disturbed or changed vegetation or soil.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The use of novel electronic nose technology to locate missing persons for criminal investigations

Brown¹,

Lamb²,

Deo³

et al. 2023

iScience

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…18 , 19 However, the success of each of these search efforts is impacted by time of day, weather conditions, and type of terrain. 7 , 20 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of novel electronic nose technology to locate missing persons for criminal investigations

Brown¹,

Lamb²,

Deo³

et al. 2023

iScience

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“…[2,[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29], or has been experimental in nature (e.g., Ref. [30][31][32][33][34].…”

Section: Misunderstanding "Survivabilit Y": R Ate Of Recovery For Ske...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[2, 22–29], or has been experimental in nature (e.g., Ref. [30–34]. That which has been published using real forensic case data often focuses on select case examples, investigating how rates of recovery may be affected by the scavenging of a particular animal (e.g., Ref.…”

Section: Misunderstanding “Survivability”: Rate Of Recovery For Skele...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Survivability versus rate of recovery for skeletal elements in forensic anthropology

Scott

Jantz

2022

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Survivability, the ability of a skeletal element to withstand taphonomic processes, is often equated to recoverability, the probability that an element will be recovered in a forensic context, and further misused to infer the likelihood that a forensic anthropologist will recover a particular element at a scene. Consequently, researchers have utilized notions of survivability to infer that a skeletal element may be recovered when justifying the necessity of various research endeavors. This is problematic because the factors impacting survivability are not always applicable in a forensic context; the ability of a bone to survive taphonomic processes may not align with the likelihood of recovery. Empirical recovery rates are presented from two distinct contexts, with data derived from the Forensic Anthropology Data Bank based on cases performed by the late J. Lawrence Angel (1914–1986) and cases done by the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK). Recovery rates may be influenced by factors beyond survivability, though we do not investigate the many considerations that might explain recovery rate variation between datasets. Rather, these data exemplify the conceptual differences between notions of survivability and rates of recovery in actual casework scenarios. Thus, it is proposed that researchers consider documented rates of recovery when providing rationale for forensic anthropology research endeavors, in addition to citing a rationale that is based on inferences of survivability. This ensures that the theoretical framework of future forensic anthropology research stems, primarily, from the premise of practical application.

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Comparison of the effectiveness and efficiency of the grid and link search methods to recover scattered skeletal remains

Keyes

2024

Int J Legal Med

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The grid and link search methods are used to recover scattered skeletal remains. Neither have not been compared robustly and clear guidelines for the link method have not been sufficiently developed. The study aimed to compare the effectiveness and efficiency of both methods and propose guidelines for the link method. The scattering patterns of two scavengers of forensic relevance—slender mongooses (Galerella sanguinea) and black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas)—were recreated using four pig skeletons (Sus scrofa domesticus). Two groups (n = 6 each) were assigned a different method to recover the scattered remains. The length of the search and when each bone was located for each scatter pattern was recorded for each group and scatter pattern. A Likert scale questionnaire assessed participants’ perceptions of their assigned method. A paired t-test (p = 0.005) compared the efficiency of each method and the questionnaire answers. Both methods were effective, recovering 100% of all remains. The link method was more efficient for both scatter patterns, despite there being no statistical significance (jackal: p = 0.089; mongoose: p = 0.464). Participants indicated favorable views for both methods; however, the link method scored significantly more favorably (p = 0.01) for efficiency. Specific guidelines were developed for the use of the link method. The link method is suggested for the recovery of scattered remains in forensic contexts, especially when the scavenger, its behavior, and scattering pattern is known or suspected.

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Success Rate of Forensic Surface Search for Osseous Remains in a New England, USA, Environment

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

The use of novel electronic nose technology to locate missing persons for criminal investigations

The use of novel electronic nose technology to locate missing persons for criminal investigations

Survivability versus rate of recovery for skeletal elements in forensic anthropology

Comparison of the effectiveness and efficiency of the grid and link search methods to recover scattered skeletal remains

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