Forensic investigation using ground penetrating radar (GPR)

Abstract

Controlled forensic using GPR has been successful used by law enforcement agencies from other countries to locate graves and forensic evidence. However, in Malaysia, forensic agencies are still using cadaver dogs in order to determine the clandestine graves. The purpose of this study was to determine the applicability of GPR in detecting controlled graves for Malaysia environment. The objectives for this study included what the different images radar between four burial scenarios (e.g naked object, wrapped object, metal object, and wrapped object in 0.5m) in a month monitoring, comparing GPR imagery between 250 MHz and 750 MHz antenna and to analyze all the images. Data and images were collected on controlled graves containing three graves at one meter and 0.5 meter; naked object, wrapped object, metal object and wrapped object under 0.5 m. the data then were processed by using Reflex2DQuick. Duo frequencies were used to detect the location and depth of the simulation object which are 250 MHz and 750 MHz. The electromagnetic wave velocity is decrease with the depth together. In terms of antenna performance, 250 MHz data generally provided high resolution image for earlier week. Over time, the 750 MHz data provided the higher detail resulted. GPR can be one of the best techniques to determine clandestine graves and this study found that it suited with Malaysia environment.