This presentation will initially detail results relating to the investigation of phenological differences of a large-scale, proxy, decadal mass grave site resulting from the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the United Kingdom. Consequently, the detection of clandestine mass graves is at the forefront of international forensics and is considered of ever-increasing forensic importance. Recent years have seen mass graves become a stimulant for criminal proceedings and investigations. Existing published scientific literature detailing appropriate techniques is limited and scarce with the methods used often being ad hoc and based on available resources and finances rather than being the most scientifically appropriate. Mass graves resulting from mass disasters, human rights abuses, and war are worldwide, societal, and humanitarian issues which pose huge geographical issues and challenges to those responsible for their investigation. Furthermore, data processing and interpretation can occur remotely without having to deploy forensic teams to the field, thus bypassing major logistical and safety issues.
If successful, mass graves will be able to be detected efficiently over large areas and independent of physical or political borders. This presentation will impact the forensic science community by potentially revolutionizing the way mass graves are detected. After attending this presentation, attendees will understand how multi-temporal, multi-spectral, fine spatial-resolution satellite imagery and derived vegetation phenological metrics can aid in the location and detection of human mass graves in temperate environments.
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