Clandestine Graves Research Articles

The value of radiocarbon analysis in determining the forensic interest of human skeletal remains found in unusual circumstances

The case under analysis refers to the remains of a young adult female found in a shallow grave during the construction work of a hospital in Northern Portugal. The forensic interest of the finding could not be ruled out since distinguishing features pointing to an archaeological grave were lacking. For example, absence of archaeological artefacts could not establish its forensic significance with certainty, together with the absence of modern objects, such as remnants of clothing or personal objects. In addition, although the remains were badly preserved, the condition may not have resulted from a long post-depositional period, but instead could be explained by the geology of the site and the presence of plant roots. The radiocarbon analysis of the remains was meant to establish the death of the individual to before or after the mid-1950s, from comparison with bomb-curve content values. A value of 0.9789 ± 0.0044 for F14C (pmC = 97.19 ± 0.44% Modern or Δ14C = −28.1 ± 4.4‰) was obtained, which placed the death of the individual in the pre-mod-1950s period. This report illustrates the use of radiocarbon analysis in establishing whether the human remains are contemporary or not and describes evidence for what appears to be an historic clandestine grave.

Advanced Scientific Methods and Procedures in the Forensic Investigation of Clandestine Graves

Our goal is to discuss the new technologies and procedures that we have developed for the discovery and recovery of buried victims. We argue that forensic investigations of clandestine graves must be grounded in the most advanced scientific methods and evidence-collection techniques available. A structured program that includes an interdisciplinary team of forensic scientists and law enforcement experts is proposed to facilitate all aspects of the investigative and legal process. Such issues are of great relevance because most legal jurisdictions have a number of cases each year and present operating procedures are not standardized. There is a clear need for national dialog to improve our investigative efforts and insure best practices in forensic science across legal jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies.

Controlled GPR grave research: Comparison of reflection profiles between 500 and 250MHz antennae

Since ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has become a popular search option for clandestine graves, controlled research is essential to determine the numerous variables that affect grave detection. The purpose of this study was to compare GPR reflection profiles of a controlled grave containing a large pig carcass and a blank control grave at 6 months interment in a Spodosol, which is a common soil type in Florida. Data collection was performed in perpendicular orientations over the graves using both 500 and 250 MHz antennae. Since reflection profiles are used to make initial in-field assessments during a forensic search, it is important for controlled research to evaluate this imagery option. Overall, it was possible to detect the grave containing a pig carcass at 6 months interment that was buried in a Spodosol using both the 500 and the 250 MHz antennae. While the 500 MHz antenna provided more detail within the grave containing a pig carcass, including detecting a soil disturbance and the pig carcass, the 250 MHz antenna also provided excellent imagery. Either antenna would provide optimal results for the type of soil that was sampled. Furthermore, it may be possible to locate actual forensic graves in this soil type when no response from the body is noted, as there may be a discernable response from the disturbed soil within the grave shaft and a noticeable disruption of the spodic horizon. Finally, survey orientation may also affect detection. Since data collection performed in two perpendicular directions detected the pig carcass and the grave floor of the control grave, data collection for an actual search involving a body interred for a long postmortem interval should be performed in both directions when time permits.

The application of amplicon length heterogeneity PCR (LH-PCR) for monitoring the dynamics of soil microbial communities associated with cadaver decomposition

The placement of cadavers in shallow, clandestine graves may alter the microbial and geochemical composition of the underlying and adjacent soils. Using amplicon length heterogeneity-PCR (LH-PCR) the microbial community changes in these soils can be assessed. In this investigation, nine different grave sites were examined over a period of 16weeks. The results indicated that measurable changes occurred in the soil bacterial community during the decomposition process. In this study, amplicons corresponding to anaerobic bacteria, not indigenous to the soil, were shown to produce differences between grave sites and control soils. Among the bacteria linked to these amplicons are those that are most often part of the commensal flora of the intestines, mouth and skin. In addition, over the 16week sampling interval, the level of indicator organisms (i.e., nitrogen fixing bacteria) dropped as the body decomposed and after four weeks of environmental exposure they began to increase again; thus differences in the abundance of nitrogen fixing bacteria were also found to contribute to the variation between controls and grave soils. These results were verified using primers that specifically targeted the nifH gene coding for nitrogenase reductase. LH-PCR provides a fast, robust and reproducible method to measure microbial changes in soil and could be used to determine potential cadaveric contact in a given area. The results obtained with this method could ultimately provide leads to investigators in criminal or missing person scenarios and allow for further analysis using human specific DNA assays to establish the identity of the buried body.

Comparisons of magnetic and electrical resistivity surveys over simulated clandestine graves in contrasting burial environments

ABSTRACTDetermining the effectiveness and limitations of near‐surface, non‐invasive geophysical techniques is imperative when attempting to locate clandestine burials. Unlike in archaeology, there has been limited forensic research with regard to optimum methodologies, with most emphasis to date being on metal detectors and ground‐penetrating radar. However, these techniques may not be suitable in certain soil types (e.g., conductive or highly magnetic) or for certain non‐metallic targets. Therefore, in this study, magnetic and electrical resistivity detection techniques have been utilized over different aged (0.25–1 year) simulated clandestine burials with no buried metal, in contrasting depositional environments. These environments included semi‐rural, urban, woodland and a parkland medieval grave site acting as an archaeological analogue.The magnetic surveys showed mixed success in detecting clandestine burials. Elevated magnetic gradient readings, with respect to background values, were observed over very shallow burials, whereas deeper burials displayed a reduction in gradient and/or no associated magnetic anomalies. Magnetic anomalies were observed over surface‐burials and validated by simple 2D forward modelling. Magnetic anomalies were also observed in the control data set. Electrical resistivity surveys produced anomalies over all the simulated burial positions, including surface burials but did not produce anomalies at the archaeological analogue site.Laboratory analysis of fluid retrieved from simulated graves showed an overall increase in iron levels over a year post‐burial, which may account for the observed magnetic anomaly variation. There was also a corresponding increase in grave ‘fluid’ conductivity, which was interpreted to be the cause of the observed low resistivity anomalies.This research suggests that, as a technique for locating clandestine burials, bulk ground resistivity is more successful than the tested magnetic methods. Moreover, magnetic techniques are more effective when used as part of a multi‐technique study over rural and semi‐rural sites that are relatively low in magnetic and electrical ‘noise’. These results have important implications for the use of geophysical techniques when searching for clandestine burials. We emphasize that local depositional environment, soil type, likely style of burial and search area size should all be considered when choosing forensic geophysical detection techniques. We also provide evidence to show that geophysical data can assist in locating a primary deposition site even when no physical evidence remains.

Detecting gravesoil with headspace analysis with adsorption on short porous layer open tubular (PLOT) columns

Victims of crimes are often buried in clandestine graves. There are several techniques for finding buried bodies or the scattered remains of a victim; however, none of these methods are very reliable or work in all scenarios. One way to detect gravesoil is to detect the biochemical changes of the surrounding soil due to cadaver decomposition, for example, the release of nitrogenous compounds. A simple and low-cost way to detect these compounds is based on the reaction of alpha amino groups with ninhydrin to form Ruhemann's purple. This test for ninhydrin-reactive nitrogen (NRN) has, to date, only been performed by direct solvent extraction of soil samples. Here, we present a method that detects trace quantities of NRN in the headspace air above gravesoil. Our method is based on an improved purge and trap method developed in our lab for sampling low volatility compounds, as well as volatile compounds at trace quantities, by applying low temperature collection on short alumina-coated porous layer open tubular (PLOT) columns. We modified this method to sample the headspace air above gravesoil with a motorized pipetter and a PLOT column at ambient temperatures. We generated gravesoil using rat cadavers and local soil. Trace quantities of NRN were successfully detected in the headspace air above gravesoil. We report the quantities of NRN recovered for buried rats, rats laid on top of soil, and blank graves (no rats) as a function of time (weeks to months). This work is the first (and thus far, only) example of a method for detecting NRN in the vapor phase, providing another tool for forensic investigators to aid in locating elusive clandestine graves.

3D GPR in forensics: Finding a clandestine grave in a mountainous environment

In the present work we show a forensic case study carried out in a mountainous environment. Main objective was to locate a clandestine grave which is around 10–20 years old and contains human remains of one individual and a metallic tool, probably a pick. Survey design started with an experimental burial of a pick at the expected depth (1 m) as well as the calculation of synthetic radargrams in order to know if the 250 MHz antenna was suitable for its detection and to have a record of the reflection of the pick. Conclusions extracted from the experiments together with rough terrain conditions suggested the use of the 250 MHz antenna which allowed a good compromise between target detection and dense grid acquisition of an extensive survey area.

Moisture can be the dominant environmental parameter governing cadaver decomposition in soil

Forensic taphonomy involves the use of decomposition to estimate postmortem interval (PMI) or locate clandestine graves. Yet, cadaver decomposition remains poorly understood, particularly following burial in soil. Presently, we do not know how most edaphic and environmental parameters, including soil moisture, influence the breakdown of cadavers following burial and alter the processes that are used to estimate PMI and locate clandestine graves. To address this, we buried juvenile rat ( Rattus rattus) cadavers (∼18 g wet weight) in three contrasting soils from tropical savanna ecosystems located in Pallarenda (sand), Wambiana (medium clay), or Yabulu (loamy sand), Queensland, Australia. These soils were sieved (2 mm), weighed (500 g dry weight), calibrated to a matric potential of -0.01 megapascals (MPa), -0.05 MPa, or -0.3 MPa (wettest to driest) and incubated at 22 °C. Measurements of cadaver decomposition included cadaver mass loss, carbon dioxide-carbon (CO 2-C) evolution, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), protease activity, phosphodiesterase activity, ninhydrin-reactive nitrogen (NRN) and soil pH. Cadaver burial resulted in a significant increase in CO 2-C evolution, MBC, enzyme activities, NRN and soil pH. Cadaver decomposition in loamy sand and sandy soil was greater at lower matric potentials (wetter soil). However, optimal matric potential for cadaver decomposition in medium clay was exceeded, which resulted in a slower rate of cadaver decomposition in the wettest soil. Slower cadaver decomposition was also observed at high matric potential (-0.3 MPa). Furthermore, wet sandy soil was associated with greater cadaver decomposition than wet fine-textured soil. We conclude that gravesoil moisture content can modify the relationship between temperature and cadaver decomposition and that soil microorganisms can play a significant role in cadaver breakdown. We also conclude that soil NRN is a more reliable indicator of gravesoil than soil pH.

Preliminary soilwater conductivity analysis to date clandestine burials of homicide victims

This study reports on a new geoscientific method to estimate the post-burial interval (PBI) and potential post-mortem interval (PMI) date of homicide victims in clandestine graves by measuring decomposition fluid conductivities. Establishing PBI/PMI dates may be critical for forensic investigators to establish time-lines to link or indeed rule out suspects to a crime. Regular in situ soilwater analysis from a simulated clandestine grave (which contained a domestic buried pig carcass) in a semi-rural environment had significantly elevated conductivity measurements when compared to background values. A temporal rapid increase of the conductivity of burial fluids was observed until one-year post-burial, after this values slowly increased until two years (end of the current study period). Conversion of x-axis from post-burial days to ‘accumulated degree days’ (ADDs) corrected for both local temperature variations and associated depth of burial and resulted in an improved fit for multiple linear regression analyses. ADD correction also allowed comparison with a previous conductivity grave study on a different site with a different soil type and environment; this showed comparable results with a similar trend observed. A separate simulated discovered burial had a conductivity estimated PBI date that showed 12% error from its actual burial date. Research is also applicable in examining illegal animal burials; time of burial and waste deposition. Further research is required to extend the monitoring period, to use human cadavers and to repeat this with other soil types and depositional environments.

Uncovering Trauma: The Exhumation and Repatriation of Spanish Civil War Dead

Anthropology NewsVolume 51, Issue 3 p. 23-24 Uncovering Trauma: The Exhumation and Repatriation of Spanish Civil War Dead Derek Congram, Derek Congram Canadian forensic bioarchaeologist who has excavated clandestine graves in Canada, Costa Rica, the former Yugoslavia, Iraq and Spain. His work in Spain has focused on helping families locate kidnapped and murdered relatives, identifying them and documenting trauma prior to their return for proper burial.Search for more papers by this authorAriana Fernández, Ariana Fernández Costa Rican cultural anthropologist. Her research has covered human rights and development issues, primarily in the developing world. She has also participated in forensic work investigating deaths and victim identities in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo and Iraq.Search for more papers by this author Derek Congram, Derek Congram Canadian forensic bioarchaeologist who has excavated clandestine graves in Canada, Costa Rica, the former Yugoslavia, Iraq and Spain. His work in Spain has focused on helping families locate kidnapped and murdered relatives, identifying them and documenting trauma prior to their return for proper burial.Search for more papers by this authorAriana Fernández, Ariana Fernández Costa Rican cultural anthropologist. Her research has covered human rights and development issues, primarily in the developing world. She has also participated in forensic work investigating deaths and victim identities in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo and Iraq.Search for more papers by this author First published: 17 March 2010 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-3502.2010.51323.xCitations: 6AboutPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume51, Issue3March 2010Pages 23-24 RelatedInformation

The search for graves with ground-penetrating radar in Connecticut

The search for unmarked and clandestine graves is a labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often frustrating task. Several geo-physical methods are available, which can be expediently used with little or no disturbances to sites, among which ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is often considered the most useful tool to delineate possible graves. This paper is the result of many years of GPR testing for unmarked graves in Connecticut. Natural and cultural conditions are considered in the failure and/or success of detection, and the use of GPR in archaeological studies.

Time-lapse resistivity surveys over simulated clandestine graves

The aim of this study was to develop a better understanding of how electrical resistivity surveys can be used to locate clandestine graves. Resistivity surveys were conducted regularly over three simulated clandestine graves containing a pig cadaver, no cadaver and a pig cadaver wrapped in tarpaulin, respectively. Additionally, soil and groundwater samples were collected from two more simulated graves outside the survey area. The grave containing a pig cadaver was detectable from a low resistivity anomaly in the survey data. Groundwater data suggest that the resistivity anomaly associated with the surveyed pig grave was caused by a localised increase in groundwater conductivity. Wrapping a cadaver was found to initially change the resistivity response of a grave to a high resistivity anomaly. Resistivity surveys did not detect the disturbed soil in the grave that did not contain a cadaver. Although soil samples showed grave soil to be more porous than undisturbed soil, the lack of response from the grave that did not contain a cadaver suggests that disturbed soil was not responsible for the resistivity anomalies observed in this study. Resistivity surveys successfully detected all graves containing cadavers throughout the study, whilst also showing the potential to eliminate the need for mass excavation in a genuine search.

Remnants of terror: Landscapes of fear in post-conflict Guatemala

Utilizando el caso de Guatemala en la época post-conflicto, este artículo explora como la interpretación del paisaje puede servir para analizar un discurso de temor geográficamente. Mediante discusión de algunas de las características presentes en el paisaje guatemalteco, así como aquellas que están obviamente ausentes, se puede ver como el paisaje refleja y refuerza una cultura de terror y desconfianza. En particular, se muestran ejemplos de aldeas modelos, cementerios clandestinos, y la ausencia de memoriales públicos, para analizar como el paisaje puede infundir un sentido de temor o terror. Estos ejemplos demuestran como la inclusión del temor en el paisaje puede ser utilizado por aquellos que dominan la sociedad con el propósito de imponer orden y mantener control. Con este tipo de investigación, se logra entender la persistencia de la cultura de temor, la cual persiste en la sociedad guatemalteca.

Time‐Lapse Geophysical Investigations over a Simulated Urban Clandestine Grave*

A simulated clandestine shallow grave was created within a heterogeneous, made-ground, urban environment where a clothed, plastic resin, human skeleton, animal products, and physiological saline were placed in anatomically correct positions and re-covered to ground level. A series of repeat (time-lapse), near-surface geophysical surveys were undertaken: (1) prior to burial (to act as control), (2) 1 month, and (3) 3 months post-burial. A range of different geophysical techniques was employed including: bulk ground resistivity and conductivity, fluxgate gradiometry and high-frequency ground penetrating radar (GPR), soil magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and self potential (SP). Bulk ground resistivity and SP proved optimal for initial grave location whilst ERT profiles and GPR horizontal "time-slices" showed the best spatial resolutions. Research suggests that in complex urban made-ground environments, initial resistivity surveys be collected before GPR and ERT follow-up surveys are collected over the identified geophysical anomalies.

A Clandestine Burial in Costa Rica: Prospection and Excavation

This case report describes the search for a clandestine grave in Costa Rica for which the police sought the assistance of an archaeologist. An anonymous informant suggested that the victim had been kidnapped and murdered, placed in a shallow grave in the woods, then covered with lime and cement. A search of the area to detect conventional signs of burial (e.g., slumping, different plant growth) resulted in excavation of unrelated features of past disturbance. Different aspects of the grave including the deposition of cement powder over the body prevented its initial discovery. Improvisation of conventional archaeological excavation methods and use of police familiar with archaeological excavation resulted in the location of the grave and exhumation of the victim without loss of important contextual evidence that supported testimony on the cause of death. The taphonomic effects of high-lying ground water and lime in the tropical burial environment are briefly discussed. Recommendations such as the construction of a temporary sump to lower the ground water level in the grave during excavation are made to assist in similar investigations in the future.

Using Ninhydrin to Detect Gravesoil*

Some death scene investigations commence without knowledge of the location of the body and/or decomposition site. In these cases, it is necessary to locate the remains or the site where the body decomposed prior to movement. We hypothesized that the burial of a mammalian cadaver will result in the release of ninhydrin reactive nitrogen (NRN) into associated soil and that this reaction might have potential as a tool for the identification of clandestine graves. Juvenile rat (Rattus rattus) cadavers were buried in three contrasting soil types in Australian tropical savanna ecosystems and allowed to decompose over a period of 28 days. Soils were sequentially harvested and analyzed for NRN. Cadaver burial resulted in an approximate doubling (mean = 1.7 +/- 0.1) in the concentration of soil NRN. This reaction has great potential to be used as a presumptive test for gravesoil and this use might be greatly enhanced following more detailed research.

An Investigation of the Vegetation Associated with Grave Sites in Southern Ontario

ABSTRACTBotanical evidence may be used in forensic investigations to estimate postmortem interval (PMI) of decomposed remains, to link a suspect to a crime scene, and to track distribution of plant-based illicit substances. A recent application of botanical evidence to forensic science is for the potential identification of clandestine grave locations. The burial of pig carcasses for a decomposition study in southern Ontario provided the opportunity to investigate the botanical species associated with grave sites in this region. This study investigated the differences in vegetation structure and species composition on grave sites in an environment that was dominated by weed flora. Differences in botanical species between grave sites and undisturbed areas were identified and highlighted the potential of these species to be used as grave indicators. Further studies are recommended to investigate the effect of seasonal variation, land use type, and inter- and intra-year variations.

Using Ground-Penetrating Radar to Locate Clandestine Graves of Homicide Victims

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has become an important forensic archaeology tool used by law enforcement agencies to search for buried bodies of homicide victims. However, these agencies most often secure outside consultants to perform searches because of equipment expense and the specialized training required to operate the equipment and interpret results. This article provides a thorough discussion of GPR methodology and implementation of this technology by law enforcement agencies for clandestine body searches. The discussion provides investigators with basic knowledge of the GPR process, enabling an understanding of how the equipment is used to search for buried bodies and how investigators can secure the services of a properly trained GPR operator. Benefits of forming forensic archaeology partnerships between law enforcement agencies and academic forensic practitioners to secure GPR equipment are also discussed, with the recently established partnership between the University of Central Florida and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office as an example.

Environmental influences on resistivity mapping for the location of clandestine graves

Abstract Geophysical surveys are being increasingly applied for the detection of clandestine burials. Ground-penetrating radar has been used successfully but is not appropriate for many sites. For this reason, other techniques such as resistivity mapping are being tested. Resistivity is sensitive to many different changes in the ground that can be caused by a grave; however, the small physical extent of the target makes location extremely difficult. Other environmentally caused variations in resistivity may be of the same magnitude as those caused by a grave, and it is important to consider whether the resistivity anomaly caused by a grave can be detected over this background variation. This paper provides a summary of the method and discusses two case studies in which resistivity mapping was employed to locate a clandestine grave. The resistivity results of a survey over moorland were dominated by the thickness of the peat coverage while the resistivity of a survey in a river valley was dominated by various environmental variations, including a medieval furrow system. Both sites were eliminated from enquiries after extensive cadaver dog searches and some excavation, although it was considered that the environmentally caused resistivity variations at both sites would have made location of a grave by resistivity alone extremely difficult. However, the success of resistivity for landfill locations suggests that resistivity may be more appropriate for the location and delineation of larger features such as mass graves.

The implementation of a coordinated Written Health Information project across seven melbourne metropolitan emergency departments

The first ever mass identification operation of skeletal remains conducted for the clandestine graves in Malaysia consisted of 165 individuals unearthed from 28 human trafficking transit camps located in Wang Kelian, along the Thai-Malaysia border. A DVI response was triggered in which expert teams comprising of pathologists, anthropologists, odontologists, radiologists and DNA experts were gathered at the identified operation centre. The Department of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Star, Kedah, located approximately 75 km away from Wang Kelian, was temporarily converted into a victim identification centre (VIC) as it is the nearest available forensic facility to the mass grave site. The mortuary operation was conducted over a period of 3 months from June to September 2015, and was divided into two phases; phase 1 involving the postmortem examination of the remains of 116 suspected individuals and for phase 2 the remains of 49 suspected individuals. The fact that the graves were of unknown individuals afforded the mass identification operation a sufficient duration of 2 weeks as preparatory phase enabling procedurals and daily victim identification workflow to be established, and the setting up of a temporary body storage for the designated mortuary. The temporary body storage has proven to be a significant factor in enabling the successful conclusion of the VIC operation to the final phase of temporary controlled burials. Recognition from two international observers, Mr. Andréas Patiño Umaña, from the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and Prof. Noel Woodford from Victoria Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) had proven the mortuary operation was in compliance to the international quality and standards. The overall victim identification and mortuary operation identified a number of significant challenges, in particular the management of commingled human remains as well as the compilation of postmortem data in the absence of antemortem data for future reconciliation. CF Index in this DVI operation is 9%, indicating the primary identifications in this operation were effective. Limitations and further improvements of the mass identification operation will be discussed. This paper details the planning, preparations and management of the mass identification operation on the exhumed human remains which was also a forensic humanitarian service for the dead with dignity and respect.