Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a non‐invasive, geophysical tool used for the
detection of clandestine graves. GPR operates by detecting density differences in soil by
the transmission of high frequency electromagnetic (EM) waves from an antenna. A 500
Megahertz (MHz) frequency antenna is typically used for forensic investigations, as it
provides a suitable compromise between depth of penetration and sub‐surface
resolution. Domestic pig (Sus scrofa) carcasses were clothed in 100% cotton t‐shirts and
50% cotton/50% polyester briefs, and buried at a consistent depth at three field sites of
contrasting soil texture (silty clay loam, fine sand and fine sandy loam) in southern
Ontario. GPR was used to detect and monitor the graves for a period of 14 months post
burial. Analysis of collected data revealed that GPR had applicability in the detection of
clandestine graves containing remains in silty clay loam and fine sandy loam soils, but
was not suitable for detection in fine sandy soil. Specifically, within a fine sandy loam
soil, there is the potential to estimate the post burial interval (PBI), as hyperbolic grave
response was well defined at the beginning of the 14 month burial duration, but
became less distinctive near the completion of the study.
Following the detection of a clandestine grave containing a carcass, collection of
gravesoil, tissue and textile samples is important for the estimation of the stage of
decomposition and the post burial interval (PBI) of the remains. Throughout the
decomposition process of a carcass, adipose tissue is subjected to hydrolytic enzymes
that convert triglycerides to their corresponding unsaturated, saturated and salts of
fatty acids. The composition of fatty acids in the decomposed tissue will vary with the
post mortem period, but it is unknown what affect the soil texture has on lipid
degradation. As decomposition proceeds, fatty acids can leach from the tissues into the
surrounding burial environment. Fatty acid analysis of gravesoil, tissue and textile
samples, exhumed at two, eleven and fourteen month post burial intervals, was
conducted using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS),
attenuated total reflectance – Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy and
gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Infrared (IR) spectroscopy analysis
of the samples provided a qualitative profile of lipid degradation. Analysis of gravesoil
samples did not reveal IR spectroscopy bands attributable to fatty acid degradation or
adipocere formation. IR spectroscopy analysis of tissue samples is applicable for the
estimation of carcass decomposition in all of the soil textures tested. Results of textile IR
spectroscopy analysis revealed limited potential to estimate the stage of carcass
decomposition in silty clay loam soil. GC‐MS was used to quantify the peak area ratio
(area/int std area) (PAR) of myristic (C14:0), palmitic (C16:0), palmitoleic (C16:1), stearic
(C18:0) and oleic (C18:1) acids. GC‐MS results revealed that analysis of both tissue and
textile samples can be useful in the estimation of the stage of decomposition and the
PBI of carcasses in all three of the soil textures tested.
The results of this research may have applicability within forensic investigations
involving decomposing bodies by aiding in the location of clandestine graves in silty clay
loam and fine sandy loam soil through the use of GPR. Infrared spectroscopy and GC‐MS
analysis of the fatty acid composition of tissue and textile samples may also be
incorporated into investigational protocols to aid in the estimation of the stage of
decomposition and the PBI of a body. / UOIT
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OOSHDU.10155/120 |
| Date | 01 August 2010 |
| Creators | Lowe, Amanda C. |
| Contributors | Forbes, Shari L., Carter, David O. |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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