Controlled research utilizing a basic all-metal detector in the search for buried firearms and miscellaneous weapons

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Geophysical Investigation
• Archaeological Geophysics

Background:

• Geophysical technologies are increasingly used in forensic investigations.
• Forensic professionals often use basic metal detectors for locating metallic weapons.
• There is a need for controlled research to establish guidelines for geophysical methods in locating buried or discarded weapons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the utility of an all-metal detector for locating buried metallic weapons.
• To identify factors affecting the detection of buried metallic targets.
• To inform search methodologies for forensic investigations.

Main Methods:

• Controlled testing of 32 buried targets, including firearms, scrap metal, and bladed weapons.
• Utilizing a basic all-metal detector to detect and identify various metallic items.
• Analyzing the impact of target size and surface area on detection depth.

Main Results:

• All 32 forensic targets were successfully detected by the all-metal detector.
• Weapon size and surface area significantly affected the maximum detection depth.
• Firearms, particularly larger ones, were detected at greater depths (up to 55 cm on High setting) compared to most other targets (≤40 cm).

Conclusions:

• All-metal detectors are effective general-purpose tools for locating metallic items at shallow depths in forensic contexts.
• Detection depth is influenced by the physical characteristics of the metallic object.
• Further research can refine geophysical search methodologies for concealed weapons.