Citation

Somma R, Cascio M, Silvestro M, Torre E. J. Forensic Sci. 2018; 63(3): 882-898.

Affiliation

Contrada Conca d'oro, 98168, Messina, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1556-4029.13677

PMID

29084345

Abstract

Previous research on the RAG color-coded prioritization systems for the discovery of clandestine graves has not considered all the factors influencing the burial site choice within a GIS project. The goal of this technical note was to discuss a GIS-based quantitative approach for the search of clandestine graves. The method is based on cross-referenced RAG maps with cumulative suitability factors to host a burial, leading to the editing of different search scenarios for ground searches showing high-(Red), medium-(Amber), and low-(Green) priority areas. The application of this procedure allowed several outcomes to be determined: If the concealment occurs at night, then the "search scenario without the visibility" will be the most effective one; if the concealment occurs in daylight, then the "search scenario with the DSM-based visibility" will be most appropriate; the different search scenarios may be cross-referenced with offender's confessions and eyewitnesses' testimonies to verify the veracity of their statements.

© 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Language: en

Keywords

GIS; clandestine graves; forensic geology; forensic science; ground searches; prioritization system