Unraveling Crimes with Geology: As Geological and Geographical Evidence Related to Clandestine Graves May Assist the Judicial System

Abstract

The geological and geographical evidence related to crime scenes involving clandestine graves is valuable data to consider during judicial investigations because it can provide useful criminological and criminalistic information. Research results on the nature and main features of historical cases and thirty criminal burials are reported. Among the studied cases, a recent homicide clandestine grave was analyzed through remote sensing. This latter allowed the definition of GIS-based RAG maps and search priority scenarios and ascertain that the study grave fell in a high priority Red coded area, validating a method previously based only on simulated crime scenes.