The Applications of Forensic Geology & Geophysics for Police and Law Enforcement Ground Searches

A ground search may be defined as; ‘The application and management of systematic procedures and appropriate detection equipment to locate specified targets’ (UK, Association of Chief Police Officers). Ground searches may be conducted to locate missing persons, homicide graves, no-body murders, recover evidence and concealed items to support a prosecution, gather intelligence, deprive criminals of their resources and opportunities to commit crime, protect vulnerable targets or to assist with search and rescue. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the applications of forensic geology and geophysics for ground searches. This paper also seeks to reach out to new audiences in the United Arab Emirates and Middle East region, who may be considering the deployment of geophysics to assist with ground searches.