Cheetham, Paul

Fenn, James

Pile, Jeremy

English

Bournemouth University Research Online

An Evaluation of the Combined Application of Ground-Penetrating Radar and3D Laser Scanning in the Location and Rapid Recording of Skeletal HumanRemainsJames L. Fenn1, Paul N. Cheetham2, & Jeremy Pile3Centre for Forensic SciencesSchool of Conservation SciencesBournemouth UniversityBournemouth, UKBH12 5BB1 email: jamesfenn1@gmail.com2 email pcheetham@bmth.ac.uk3 email: jpile@bmth.ac.ukKEYWORDS: forensic geophysics, forensic archaeology, ground-penetrating radar, 3D laser scanningIntroductionThe location and recording  of  buried  skeletal  remains,  particularly  if  disarticulated  and  lyingthrough  the  plane  of  excavation  spits,   presents   a   considerable   challenge   to   investigatorsrecovering  and  recording  with  such  material.  This  paper  considers  the  application   of   highfrequency ground-penetrating radar (GPR) in combination with 3D  laser  scanning  for  the  directlocating and recording of skeletal elements in a shallow burial environment. It assesses the  abilityof the GPR and to aid the forensic expert in the locating of skeletal remains where the  disturbanceof the grave itself might not provide a sufficient geophysical contrast. The research was conductedon an archaeological excavation of a cemetery containing a  series  of  inhumations  dating  to  themediaeval period and earlier. It investigated an area of backfilled ditch that had  revealed  a  seriesof apparently disarticulated human remains protruding from the ditch section.  The  matrix  at  thistest area was a relatively dry, loose, sandy clay loam which would be  expected  to  prove  suitablefor high frequency GPR survey.Field Methods and ResultsThe experiment was used high frequency ground  penetrating  radar  (800  MHz)  to  conduct  twoorthogonal surveys over a survey area of 1.2m x 2m  employing  a  0.01m  (1cm)  sample  intervalalong the survey traverse and a 0.10m (10cm) traverse interval. Prior to the commencement of  theGPR  survey,  and  in  during  the  intrusive  investigation,  3D  laser  scanning  was  applied  as  apotential rapid pre, mid, and post-excavation  recording  technique  in  addition  to  the  traditionalphotographic and 2D plan recording. Having cleaned the section face and  cleared  the  surface  ofvegetation, and initial 3D scan was carried out. The GPR survey then commenced  running  north-south - transverse to the assumed burials, and then  east-west  –  parallel  to  the  assumed  burials.Significant anomalous GPR reflections occurred, which were consistent in  grid  location  on  bothdirectional surveys (see Figure 2 for sample GPR slices).                  AB C  DFigure 2: Images A and B are a sample raw data slices of the 800MHz GPR orthogonal surveys   in  which  two  clearGPR anomalies are highlighted. On excavation of the target  area  a  conclusion  was  reached  that  these  anomaliesrepresented the crania of two shallow burials (one intact and one partially fragmented - highlighted  in  the  3D  laserscan- image C, and in site photograph – image D).ConclusionsAlthough the application of high frequency GPR (800MHz) provided considerable guidance as  tothe precise location of the buried crania and as to the general orientation of the burial as  a  whole,further experimentation applying a higher frequency radar antenna at a traverse of less than  10cmwould be recommended to improve  resolution  in  the  hope  of  individuating  bone  with  greaterprecision. 3-D laser scanning as a rapid recording  technique  demonstrated  impressive  capabilityboth in scan resolution and in general measurement accuracy, however; finite resolution  and  timeconsumption are issues to be readdressed with the emergence of upgrading models and  advancingscan technology.------------------------------------Figure 1:  Ditch section containing disturbed burials. Surface: 2m X 1.2m GPR survey area.

An Evaluation of the Combined Application of Ground-Penetrating Radar and 3D Laser Scanning in the Location and Rapid Recording of Skeletal Human Remains

An Evaluation of the Combined Application of Ground-Penetrating Radar and 3D Laser Scanning in the Location and Rapid Recording of Skeletal Human Remains

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