<title>Searching for concealed human remains using GPR imaging of decomposition</title>

Abstract

Locating clandestine burials of human remains has longchallenged law-enforcement officials investigating criminal activity, and continues to confront scientific disciplines in finding well-defined procedures. Forensic specialists and law enforcement agencies have noted that multidisciplinary search efforts are becoming more of a necessity in searching for buried remains. Collaborative research at The University of Tennessee's Anthropological Research Facility (ARF) in Knoxville supports this concept. We are correlating groundpenetrating radar (GPR) imaging with postmortem processes. Decompositional stages and rate imagery are presented that utilize sweep-frequency radar and timeelapsed imaging. Greater accuracy in predicting clandestine burials using dynamic GPR anomaly detection will reduce widespread excavations and may better assist lawenforcement personnel in obtaining site-specific search warrants.