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Assessing geospatial models to explain the occurrence of clandestine graves in Mexico.

Forensic science international·2024
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Assessing optical remote sensing for grave detection.

J L Silván-Cárdenas1, A Caccavari-Garza2, M E Quinto-Sánchez3

  • 1Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de Información Geoespacial, A.C. Contoy 137, Lomas de Padierna, Ciudad de México, Mexico.

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|November 4, 2021
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Summary

Optical remote sensing techniques can detect clandestine graves by identifying N-enriched vegetation and underground voids. These methods offer promising tools for locating missing persons, particularly in regions like Mexico with high disappearance rates.

Keywords:
Clandestine graveDifferential thermographyHyperspectral imagePhotogrammetric pointcloudRededgeSpectral index

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Science
  • Remote Sensing
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Clandestine graves pose a significant challenge in missing persons investigations, particularly in Mexico where over 40,000 disappearances have been recorded since 2006.
  • Effective and ready-to-use tools are crucial for the discovery of these graves to aid in solving cases and providing closure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of various optical remote sensing techniques for detecting simulated clandestine graves.
  • To assess the potential of hyperspectral, multispectral, thermal imagery, and aerial photography for grave site identification.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental study using simulated animal graves.
  • Application of spectral indices from hyperspectral and multispectral sensors.
  • Analysis of thermal imagery for differential thermography.
  • Reconstruction of dense point clouds from oblique aerial photography.

Main Results:

  • Spectral indices effectively detected nitrogen-enriched vegetation, indicating potential grave sites.
  • Thermal imagery identified underground voids via differential thermography, but was limited to large graves in bare terrain.
  • Aerial photography detected vegetation regrowth over pits, but terrain subsidence was not significant enough for detection.

Conclusions:

  • Optical remote sensing, including spectral indices and thermal imaging, shows potential for clandestine grave detection.
  • Limitations exist, particularly with smaller graves or dense vegetation, requiring further refinement of techniques.
  • These remote sensing approaches offer valuable tools for law enforcement and forensic investigations in missing persons cases.