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This study aims to assess the impact of the sand-clay ratio on the detection of simulated forensic targets resembling human burial evidence using ground-penetrating radar (GPR). To achieve this goal, we established a controlled site consisting of four experimental graves (SEPs), with each SEP representing a distinct burial scenario. The project's objectives encompass evaluating how varying the clay soil content influences the detection of swine targets using 2D, quasi-3D, and 4D GPR imaging techniques. We observed signal attenuation in the GPR data during the rainy season and after reflection from larger targets, primarily due to the conductive behavior of the soft tissues within the targets. We achieved more precise results in an SEP that was 85% sand and 15% clay material, regardless of seasonality. We obtained better results in the dry season due to the greater penetrability of electromagnetic waves and more explicit reflections. In comparison, we achieved more precise results for SEP03, which was 70% sand and 30% clay material. In conclusion, controlled sites are invaluable tools for geophysical investigations, as they provide a controlled environment where we can meticulously adjust various parameters, leading to a more precise and insightful analysis of the results. By systematically manipulating factors such as the soil composition, target depth, and environmental conditions, researchers can effectively calibrate their instruments and methodologies, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of their findings. Therefore, controlled sites not only facilitate comprehensive data collection but also serve as essential platforms for refining and validating geophysical techniques, ultimately advancing the field of geophysical forensics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bomarzo Cathedral, also known as the Duomo di Bomarzo, is a remarkable historical and architectural masterpiece situated in Bomarzo (VT), Italy. Constructed in the 16th century under the sponsorship of the Orsini family, the cathedral's design is a harmonious blend of Renaissance and Baroque styles. Despite enduring numerous challenges, including damage from the Italian Wars, extensive restoration efforts were undertaken to preserve its cultural legacy. Driven by a deep appreciation of the cathedral's historical context, a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) investigation was deployed to gain insights into its foundations and potentially uncover buried remains beneath the floor and altar. The GPR investigation focused on the cathedral's interior, specifically the central and left naves, altar, and oratory. This revealed the presence of disclosed rectangular chambers beneath the floor and altar, along with unique foundation structures. These findings, coupled with historical insights and architectural understanding, emphasize the cathedral's cultural importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographic profiling, or locus operandi, is a scientific approach that has been applied to forensic investigations for several years. However, it has never been applied to a phenomenon as complex as the search for missing persons. This article presents three Italian case studies in which geographic profiling was used to narrow the areas to search for missing persons. The geographical data were mapped and processed on a geographic information system platform using computational geometry analysis. However, these disappearances occurred during the Italian lockdown period, imposed to address the COVID-19 outbreak, which made the searches slower and more complex than usual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ADOPT A STANDARD PROCEDURE TO ANALYSE A CRIME SCENE, BEGINNING WITH A LANDSCAPE MACROSCOPIC STUDY (E.G., REMOTE SENSING) TILL A MICROSCOPIC EVIDENCE ANALYSIS (E.G., ARCHAEOLOGICAL STRATIGRAPHY) FOLLOWING INTERMEDIATE STEPS SUCH AS GEOPHYSICS, FIELDWALKING, AND TAPHONOMY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensic archaeological investigations include not only the search for cadavers in the broad sense but also investigations relating to the destruction or damage of archaeological sites and monuments, illegal excavations (terrestrial and underwater) and looting of artefacts, assessing the financial and archaeological damage caused in order to examine the possibilities of identifying those responsible for the damage; investigations to help establish the provenance of antiquities that may have been illegally acquired or falsified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A FORENSIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK INTEGRATES AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROCESS AND A RESEARCH CYCLE WITH CRIMINALISTIC AND CRIMINOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE. BY DOING SO, FORENSIC ARCHAEOLOGY MUST ANALYZE, INTERPRET AND RECONSTRUCT HUMAN/CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AND THE NATURAL PROCESSES THAT HAVE FORMED AND MODIFIED AN INVESTIGATED CRIME SCENE. IN THIS COMMENTARY, THE BOUNDARIES OF THIS DISCIPLINE WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED TO HELP BETTER UNDERSTAND WHO FORENSIC ARCHAEOLOGISTS ARE AND WHAT THEIR JOB ENTAILS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthquakes represent one of the world's most significant hazards in terms of damage to human and animal life, and property. Earthquakes also cause many other related fatalities and damage to urban structures. This paper presents the forensic investigation of failures induced by the Norcia 2016 earthquake in Italy. The detailed geophysical field investigations were carried out at selected locations in two cities: Rome and Amelia. The places of investigation were 150 km and 90 km, respectively, from the epicenter. A ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey was carried out at the sites to highlight structural failures, and included a partially damaged urban bridge, and the cracked wall of a private house. These failures have been discussed with reference to the field measurements carried out. In both cases, the GPR radargram showed clear lesions along with their geometry and location. This forensic geoscientific analysis highlights the importance of detecting structural damage immediately after a geohazard event to help plan proper interventions, efforts to prevent human losses and help law enforcement to focus their forensic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of modern structures and infrastructures is relevant if you want to plan an archaeological or cultural heritage project in a populated area (e.g., cities and countryside). Both natural and manmade objects "hidden" in the subsurface (like tree roots, electrical cables, pipelines, tunnels, etc.) can interfere in preservation of buried heritage. The main advantage of a conservation approach is the application of different non-destructive techniques (NDTs) to obtain the best result, in terms of both resolution and accuracy, without digging. One of these NDTs, i.e., the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method, is used in this paper. The examples shown here demonstrate not only that the use of the GPR technique, as a scientific investigation, represents an effective and non-destructive methodology for discovering, recovering, and understanding archeological data but also it can be applied to better understand the evolution of the ancient Past through the development of the Present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common to most cities with tree-lined roads, streets, and sidewalks is damage to paved surfaces caused by the growth of roots over time. Sub-surface root growth creates potential hazards for people driving motor vehicles and pedestrian traffic. In large urban centers like Rome (Italy), roads are vital infrastructure ensuring the mobility of citizens, commercial goods, and information. This infrastructure can become a crime scene when serious injuries or deaths result from the poor monitoring and management of urban trees. Sustainable management of road infrastructure and the associated urban greening is supported by a forensic geoscientific approach. In particular, the use of the GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) technique allows (i) to control and detect anomalies in the root architecture beneath asphalt in a non-destructive way; and (ii) to plan actions to repair and avoid the possibility of further catastrophic scenarios and need for forensic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]