Mapping Decomposition: A Preliminary Study of Non-Destructive Detection of Simulated body Fluids in the Shallow Subsurface

The processes of decomposition that the body will have after time death are peculiar and complex. swells expels gases fluids, flesh decays. It also attracts many insects scavengers. We know these fluids nutrients for vegetation, if is inhumed in subsurface, they allow a rapid crop growth remote sensors can mark. During forensic investigations, mapping fluid migration subsurface help reconstruct genesis clandestine grave. Several studies show how different analyses be sensitive to human burials. This paper presents preliminary experiment studying dispersion using simulated shallow grave detecting it through ground penetrating radar (GPR) technique (given its ability detect dielectric constant changes investigated media) other sensing techniques. Although simulation related was accurate allowed us better understand does not always migrate way initially expected (toward gravity), typical characteristics soils external factors were left out would studied future simulations.