IADR Abstract Archives
Detection of Clandestine Graves, Through geo-Electric Profiles of Teeth and Dental Materials
Objectives: Currently, in Colombia there are more than 100,000 people reported missing; investigations in the forensic field seek to determine techniques for detecting corpses buried in clandestine graves.
Objective: Analyze the geoelectric profiles obtained by electrical resistivity tomography of teeth and dental materials buried in pits at different depths and look for differences with other burials.
Methods: Analytical experimental study; an experimental area was built with five pits, three of them included freshly dispatched pig remains, a third pit with three depths (50cm, 80cm and 100cm), where intact human teeth and teeth with composites, brackets, dental implants and prostheses with metallic structure; a fifth pit empty of control. These pits were subjected to prospecting using geophysics equipment in order to identify possible changes in the physical properties of the subsoil, which could be related to the detection and characterization of burials. Teeth were obtained from healthy patients who had their extracted for orthodontic reasons. A standardized protocol was followed for the collection and storage of the teeth. The project was approved by the university's ethics committee.
Results: The geoelectric profiles have made it possible to identify the presence of burials, which has made it possible to carry out a comparative analysis between the pit that contained dental samples and the other types of burials depending on their depth.
Conclusions: The findings of this research have significant applications in search protocols for missing persons, by demonstrating the usefulness of geophysical technologies and the interpretation of geoelectric profiles in forensic investigation work in the field.
Objective: Analyze the geoelectric profiles obtained by electrical resistivity tomography of teeth and dental materials buried in pits at different depths and look for differences with other burials.
Methods: Analytical experimental study; an experimental area was built with five pits, three of them included freshly dispatched pig remains, a third pit with three depths (50cm, 80cm and 100cm), where intact human teeth and teeth with composites, brackets, dental implants and prostheses with metallic structure; a fifth pit empty of control. These pits were subjected to prospecting using geophysics equipment in order to identify possible changes in the physical properties of the subsoil, which could be related to the detection and characterization of burials. Teeth were obtained from healthy patients who had their extracted for orthodontic reasons. A standardized protocol was followed for the collection and storage of the teeth. The project was approved by the university's ethics committee.
Results: The geoelectric profiles have made it possible to identify the presence of burials, which has made it possible to carry out a comparative analysis between the pit that contained dental samples and the other types of burials depending on their depth.
Conclusions: The findings of this research have significant applications in search protocols for missing persons, by demonstrating the usefulness of geophysical technologies and the interpretation of geoelectric profiles in forensic investigation work in the field.