The Search for "Fred": An Unusual Vertical Burial Case

Area of Science:

• Forensic Geophysics
• Archaeological Geophysics

Background:

• A cold case involving a potential burial site required advanced search techniques.
• Conventional methods were insufficient to locate the target in challenging terrain.

Observation:

• A multiphased geophysical approach was employed, combining electromagnetic (EM) methods, metal detection, magnetics, and ground penetrating radar (GPR).
• Surveys utilized a tight grid pattern and high-resolution techniques suitable for hilly terrain and sandy soil.

Findings:

• Several geophysical anomalies were detected.
• Intrusive investigation of the most promising anomalies revealed only natural features, such as a large boulder and tree roots.
• The geophysical investigation yielded a negative result, indicating the absence of the target remains.

Implications:

• Multiphase geophysical surveys are recommended as best practice for complex cold case searches.
• This study demonstrates the effectiveness of geophysical methods in ruling out potential burial sites, providing closure and saving investigative resources.
• The findings offer confidence in applying similar techniques to future cold case investigations.