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Abstract
Thanks to its non-destructive, high-resolution imaging possibilities and its sensitivity to both conductive and dielectric subsurface structures, Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) has become a widely recognized near-surface geophysical tool, routinely adopted in a wide variety of disciplines. Since its first development almost 100 years ago, the domain in which the methodology has been successfully deployed has significantly expanded from ice sounding and environmental studies to precision agriculture and infrastructure monitoring. While such expansion has been clearly supported by the evolution of technology and electronics, the operating principles have always secured GPR a predominant position among alternative inspection approaches. The aim of this contribution is to provide a large-scale survey of the current areas where GPR has emerged as a valuable prospection methodology, highlighting the reasons for such prominence and, at the same time, to suggest where and how it could be enhanced even more.
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Ashbridge SI, Randolph-Quinney PS, Janaway RC, Forbes SL, Ivshina O. Environmental conditions and bodily decomposition: Implications for long term management of war fatalities and the identification of the dead during the ongoing Ukrainian conflict. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2022; 5:100284. [PMID: 36132432 PMCID: PMC9483745 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2022.100284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Kelly TB, Angel MN, O'Connor DE, Huff CC, Morris LE, Wach GD. A novel approach to 3D modelling ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data - A case study of a cemetery and applications for criminal investigation. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 325:110882. [PMID: 34182205 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is an established geophysical technique used extensively for the accurate reconstruction of the shallow (<10 m) subsurface. Reconstructions have largely been completed and presented as 2D vertical and horizontal planes, leaving limited visualization of subsurface 3D shapes and their spatial relationships. With technological advancements, particularly the availability and integration of various software platforms, 3D modelling of GPR data is now emerging as the new standard. However, despite these developments, there remains an inadequate examination and testing of these techniques, particularly in determining if their application is beneficial and warranted. In this study we conducted a GPR grid survey on a churchyard cemetery to generate and evaluate 2D and 3D-modelled reconstructions of the cemetery burial sites. Data collection and processing was completed using a Sensors and Software Incorporated pulseEKKO™ Pro SmartCart GPR system and EKKO_Project™ software, respectively. The modelling component was achieved using Schlumberger's Petrel™ E & P software platform, which is tailored to the petroleum industry. The subsurface patterns present in the 2D and 3D models closely matched the cemetery plot plan, validating our data collection, processing, and modelling methods. Both models were adequate for 2D horizontal visualization of reflection patterns at any specific depth. The 3D model was used to identify the presence of a companion burial plot (stacked caskets) and possible leachate plumes below and encircling burial sites, both of which were not evident in the 2D model, highlighting the benefits of 3D modelling when discerning subsurface objects. We expect our findings to be of value to similar GPR studies, with particular significance to geoforensic studies and criminal investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- T B Kelly
- Basin and Reservoir Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, 3rd Floor Life Sciences Centre (Biology/Earth Sciences Wing), Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - M N Angel
- Basin and Reservoir Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, 3rd Floor Life Sciences Centre (Biology/Earth Sciences Wing), Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - D E O'Connor
- Basin and Reservoir Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, 3rd Floor Life Sciences Centre (Biology/Earth Sciences Wing), Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada; North Africa Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Williamson Building, Manchester, M13 9PL United Kingdom
| | - C C Huff
- Basin and Reservoir Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, 3rd Floor Life Sciences Centre (Biology/Earth Sciences Wing), Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - L E Morris
- Basin and Reservoir Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, 3rd Floor Life Sciences Centre (Biology/Earth Sciences Wing), Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - G D Wach
- Basin and Reservoir Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, 3rd Floor Life Sciences Centre (Biology/Earth Sciences Wing), Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada.
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Using Ground Penetrating Radar and Resistivity Methods to Locate Unmarked Graves: A Review. REMOTE SENSING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/rs13152880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The location of unmarked graves in forensic and archaeological investigations is legally and culturally important. In a forensic context, locating covert burials of missing persons can provide closure to the family, as well as facilitating the successful prosecution of the individual(s) responsible. Archaeologically, burials provide an important source of information about health, diet, physical anthropology, and culture. Despite the importance of these features, the location of unmarked graves with conventional archaeological and forensic techniques, such as excavation, is difficult and expensive. As a result, geophysical techniques have been widely applied to the location of unmarked graves as they are non-invasive, cost and time effective, and avoid the unnecessary disturbance of human remains. This article brings together the literature on ground penetrating radar (GPR), and two resistivity methods, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and fixed probe resistivity (FPR), on their ability to locate burials and reviews their use in forensic and archaeological investigations. This paper aims to provide law enforcement personnel, archaeologists, geophysicists, and interested academics with an overview of how these techniques work, how they have been previously applied to grave detection, and the strengths and weakness of these methods.
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Identifying Changes in Sediment Texture along an Ephemeral Gravel-Bed Stream Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography 2D and 3D. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11073030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Differences in deposit geometry and texture with depth along ephemeral gravel-bed streams strongly reflect fluctuations in bedload which are due to environmental changes at the basin scale and to morphological channel adjustments. This study combines electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) with datasets from borehole logs to analyse the internal geometry of channel cross-sections in a gravel-bed ephemeral stream (southeast Spain). The survey was performed through longitudinal and transverse profiles in the upper channel stretch, of 14 to 30 m in length and 3 to 6 m in depth, approximately. ERT values were correlated with data on sediment texture as grain size distribution, effective grain sizes, sorting, and particle shape (Zingg’s classification). The alluvial channel-fills showed the superposition of four layers with uneven thickness and arrangement: (1) the softer rocky substrate (<1000 Ω.m); (2) a thicker intermediate layer (1000 to 2000 Ω.m); and (3) an upper set composed of coarse gravel and supported matrix, ranging above 2000 Ω.m, and a narrow subsurface layer, which is the most resistive (>5000 Ω.m), corresponding to the most recent armoured deposits (gravel and pebbles). The ERT results coupled with borehole data allowed for determining the horizontal and vertical behaviour of the materials in a 3D model, facilitating the layer identification.
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Abstract
Several researchers have analyzed the collocation of infraorbital foramen, but no study has so far considered the possible influence of cranial size.Three measurements (distances from anterior nasal spine, inferior orbital rim, angle at the intersection between the line from anterior nasal spine and the transversal plane parallel to the Frankfurt plane) were taken on 100 skulls belonging to a contemporary skeletal collection. In addition, maximum cranial length, maximum cranial breadth, cranial height, and bizygomatic breadth were measured, together with 2 indices (horizontal cephalic index and Giardina Y-index). Differences according to sex and side were assessed through 2-way analysis of variance test (P <0.05). Measurements showing statistically significant differences according to sex were further assessed through 1-way analysis of covariance test including cranial measurements and indices as covariates (P <0.05).Statistically significant differences according to sex and side were found respectively for the distance from anterior nasal spine and the angle at infraorbital foramen (P <0.05). One-way analysis of covariance test verified that the sexual dimorphism of infraorbital foramen- anterior nasal spine distance was independent from the general measurements of cranium.The present study first proved that sexually dimorphic parameters useful for the localization of infraorbital foramen do not depend upon the cranium size.
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Molina CM, Wisniewski KD, Drake J, Baena A, Guatame A, Pringle JK. Testing Application of Geographical Information Systems, Forensic Geomorphology and Electrical Resistivity Tomography to Investigate Clandestine Grave Sites in Colombia, South America. J Forensic Sci 2019; 65:266-273. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Martin Molina
- Universidad Antonio Nariño, Facultad de Ingeniería Ambiental and Facultad de Ciencias Calle 22 sur No. 12d-81 Bogotá Colombia
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias ForensesLaboratorio de Evidencia Traza Calle 7A No. 12a-51 Bogotá Colombia
| | - Kristopher D. Wisniewski
- Department of Criminal Justice and Forensics School of Law, Policing & Forensics Science Centre Staffordshire University Leek Road Stoke on Trent ST4 2DF U.K
- School of Geography, Geology and Environment Keele University Keele Staffs ST5 5BG U.K
| | - Jonathan Drake
- American Association for the Advancement of Science 1200 New York Ave NW Washington DC
| | - Alejandra Baena
- Universidad Antonio Nariño, Facultad de Ingeniería Ambiental and Facultad de Ciencias Calle 22 sur No. 12d-81 Bogotá Colombia
| | - Ana Guatame
- Equipo Colombiano Interdisciplinario de Trabajo Forense y Asistencia Psicosocial EQUITAS Avenida Carrera 24 No. 40-44 Oficina 202 Bogotá Colombia
| | - Jamie K. Pringle
- School of Geography, Geology and Environment Keele University Keele Staffs ST5 5BG U.K
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