Drone aerial imagery for the simulation of a neonate burial based on the geoforensic search strategy (GSS)

A woman reporting the homicide and burial of an infant in 2004 prompted creation experimental simulated neonate grave shortly before real search commenced. The case, documented here, did not use aerial imagery, but used ground-penetrating radar (calibrated to test site described here) identify two locations that were probed for gas release deployment victim recovery dogs. We suggest technological advances remotely sensed imagery have developed since will demonstrate their focusing such searches by informing a Geoforensic Search Strategy (GSS) suggesting accessible perpetrator location using still-existent analogue site. To this, spring 2020 DJI Mavic Pro drone was flown over control containing burial. Aerial image processing included orthomosaics, Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Visual Atmospheric Resistance (VARI), photogrammetry. Conventional ground-based geophysical surveys radar, guided this new type information integrated into GSS, confirmed anomalies seen data 16-year-old strategy both original Northern Ireland further evaluate it recent graves United States more complex scenarios, with successful results.