Geoforensic search to crime scene: Remote sensing, geophysics, and dogs

Abstract

AbstractIn the absence of surface indications of burial sites, law enforcement or humanitarian organizations are faced with the difficult task of focusing large‐scale ground searches to a manageable excavation area. A geoforensic‐based survey may exclude parts of the landscape for reasons such as diggability or viewshed analysis but leave areas still too large for invasive exploration. This work examines how drone‐based remote sensing, geophysics, and search dogs may be combined to narrow such searches. Here, we ask the reader to consider two examples where forensic geomorphology and land use provided a range of possible burial locations. Following this is a multi‐proxy approach to similar dilemma, with a search‐to‐scene case study using remote sensing (drone photography), geophysics, ground probes, and search dogs. This approach is not presented as a definitive guide, but serves as an example of the conjunctive use of well‐studied methods to approach a common problem in geoforensics.