With the technology of today to find buried bodies? Can remains be pinpointed say 15 feet in the ground compared to the 1990s?

[zeb01]

Does anyone know if remains can be detected underground approx 10 to 15 feet today as compared to 1990?

 

[musicaljoke]

My suspicion is that the closer to the burial time, the more likely remains could be discovered. How the body was buried so deeply would make a difference too. If a 15' hole was dug, it would leave a considerable depression which would have been very difficult to hide in the 90s and even leave a mark today. Cadaver dogs would have an easier task in the 90s vs today.

Canada is currently searching for the remains of First Nations children who died while at residential schools many years ago, and who were buried in unmarked graves. The search methods include the use of Ground Penetrating Radar, along with just looking for depressions in the ground and places where the soil had been disturbed. GPR is quite accurate and can go as deep as 30' if the soil is dry and sandy, but it's not as helpful when the soil is clay.

So using GPR is worth a try, but at 15', it might not be as effective as one would hope.

https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/238275.pdf

 

[zeb01]

My suspicion is that the closer to the burial time, the more likely remains could be discovered. How the body was buried so deeply would make a difference too. If a 15' hole was dug, it would leave a considerable depression which would have been very difficult to hide in the 90s and even leave a mark today. Cadaver dogs would have an easier task in the 90s vs today.

Canada is currently searching for the remains of First Nations children who died while at residential schools many years ago, and who were buried in unmarked graves. The search methods include the use of Ground Penetrating Radar, along with just looking for depressions in the ground and places where the soil had been disturbed. GPR is quite accurate and can go as deep as 30' if the soil is dry and sandy, but it's not as helpful when the soil is clay.

So using GPR is worth a try, but at 15', it might not be as effective as one would hope.

https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/238275.pdf

Thank you for the information.

 

[musicaljoke]

Thank you for the information.

I feel that there is a sad burden that you are bearing. I hope that you get the assistance that you need with your search.

 

[Howl]

GPR might be able to detect anomalies in soil indicating a soil disturbance for a burial, rather than the presence of the body itself.

 

[ConundrumPonderer]

Does anyone know if remains can be detected underground approx 10 to 15 feet today as compared to 1990?

My feeling would be, as @musicaljoke suggested, that this is a burden you are facing. If your local State College/University has an archaeology department, you could ask them if they either need GPR practice for the first year students, or if a couple of students could bring it out for a look, if you have a pretty good idea where you’re thinking remains might be. We use GPR to locate features, including burials, and trust me, if it was a long time ago, the better.

 

[ConundrumPonderer]

GPR might be able to detect anomalies in soil indicating a soil disturbance for a burial, rather than the presence of the body itself.

That’s my suggestion, I’ve run them at dig sites a lot.

 

[DFWNF]

Oh I pray they find the Springfield 3 ladies.