In-Situ Subsurface Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Burial Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for locating human remains in clandestine or undocumented burials, such as cadaver dogs and ground penetrating radar, are inefficient and often lead to fruitless excavations due to volatility of decomposition odors and inability to identify the nature of subsurface objects, respectively.
Innovation Solution
The method employs in-situ, subsurface near-infrared spectroscopy to detect fatty acid salts by analyzing overtone wavelengths between 1670 nm to 1800 nm, using a spectroscopy probe to identify the presence of fatty acid salts indicative of human remains, and incorporates secondary property measurements to verify results and eliminate false positives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cadaver dogs are used to detect decomposition odors, then the ability to locate human remains is improved, but false positives occur due to volatility of decomposition odors and water solubility causing odors to disperse to many places other than the actual burial site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and detects specific chemical compounds (fatty acid salts) that are produced during decomposition and remain at the burial site, rather than relying on volatile odors that disperse. This extraction approach isolates the reliable indicator from the problematic volatile components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ground penetrating radar to provide feedback information about subsurface density variations, which is then combined with chemical detection data to verify locations and reduce false positives from odor dispersion.
2Measurement precision
If ground penetrating radar is used to detect variations in density below the surface, then the ability to locate subsurface objects is improved, but the nature of what is in the ground cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges ground penetrating radar detection of density variations with chemical detection of fatty acid salts. The radar provides location information about subsurface anomalies, while the chemical detection identifies the nature of the material, combining both capabilities into a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple functions: it detects subsurface density variations, identifies chemical composition, and determines the nature of buried materials. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate detection and identification systems.
3Area of stationary object
If unguided excavations are conducted in search of burials, then the search area can be covered, but the process becomes expensive and time consuming with generally unsuccessful results
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and identification of burial locations using chemical and geophysical methods before excavation begins. This preliminary action provides precise location information, allowing excavations to be targeted rather than conducted blindly across the entire search area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical unguided excavation with a scientific detection system that uses chemical analysis and geophysical surveying to identify burial locations. This substitution transforms the process from trial-and-error mechanical digging to targeted excavation based on scientific evidence.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly increases the success rate of locating human remains, achieving over 80% accuracy per excavation and improving recovery rates compared to prior techniques, while reducing the likelihood of false negatives and positives.
Implementation Method 1
The spectroscopy assembly is configured to identify whether a salt of a fatty acid is present based on overtone wavelengths of the salt of the fatty acid
Implementation Method 2
the overtone wavelengths may be characterized by an absorption band contour extending from about 1670 nm to about 1800 nm
Data Source
AI summary
A method for locating human remains in a clandestine or undocumented burial includes providing a spectroscopy assembly including a spectroscopy probe with a distal end to a location that may include human remains, wherein the spectroscopy assembly is configured to identify whether a salt of a fatty acid is present based on overtone wavelengths of the salt of the fatty acid; inserting the distal end of the spectroscopy probe into a testing spot at the location that may include human remains; and analyzing, with the spectroscopy assembly and after the step of inserting, whether the salt of the fatty acid having the overtone wavelengths is present in the location that may include human remains. The step of analyzing may include near-infrared spectroscopy, and the overtone wavelengths may be characterized by an absorption band contour extending from about 1670 nm to about 1800 nm.