A novel application of terrestrial LIDAR to characterize elevation change at human grave surfaces in support of narrowing down possible unmarked grave locations

Corcoran, Katie A.; Mundorff, Amy Z.; White, Devin A.; Emch, Whitney L.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.05.038

Title: A novel application of terrestrial LIDAR to characterize elevation change at human grave surfaces in support of narrowing down possible unmarked grave locations

Journal Article · 20 June 2018 · Forensic Science International

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.05.038 · OSTI ID:1458373

^[1]; Mundorff, Amy Z. ^[2];

^[3]; Emch, Whitney L. ^[4]

Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Springfield, VA (United States)

Unmarked graves are difficult to locate once the ground surface no longer shows visible evidence of disturbance, posing significant challenges to missing person investigations. This research evaluates the use of terrestrial LIDAR point data for measuring localized elevation change at human grave surfaces. Three differently sized human graves, one control-pit, and surrounding undisturbed ground, were scanned four times between February 2013 and November 2014 using a tripod-mounted terrestrial laser scanner. All the disturbed surfaces exhibited measurable and localized elevation change, allowing for separation of disturbed and undisturbed ground. In conclusion, this study is the first to quantify elevation changes to human graves over time and demonstrates that terrestrial LIDAR may contribute to multi-modal data collection approach to improve unmarked grave detection.

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Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1458373

Journal Information:: Forensic Science International, Vol. 289, Issue C; ISSN 0379-0738

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Citation Metrics:

Cited by: 11 works

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