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Second EAGE International Conference on Engineering Geophysics
- Conference date: 24 Nov 2013 - 27 Nov 2013
- Location: Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- ISBN: 978-90-73834-66-8
- Published: 24 November 2013
51 - 71 of 71 results
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Collaborative Geophysical Monitoring of Simulated Forensic 'Crime Scenes’ in the U.K.
Authors J.K. Pringle, J.P. Cassella, A. Williams, P. Cross, A. Ruffell and P. MastersThis paper provides an overview of current collaborative academic forensic geophysics research on various U.K. test sites to detail the importance of forensic simulated burial sites for forensic search investigators. Academic forensic test sites contain a variety of buried material objects that have been buried for various periods. The team also have access to historical burial grounds for data collection if required. Research is gaining an understanding of optimal search technique(s) for different buried targets, optimum methodologies and sequential search workflows. From this research, additionally a detailed understanding of the local depositional environment(s), particularly soil type(s), age/style of burial and local climate datasets are critical to have a successful detection. Ongoing long-term monitoring efforts are detailing optimal time windows for searches and techniques.
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Missing Persons Search: A Multidisciplinary Analysis
Authors A. Berti, L. Ripani, G. Braccesi, S. Bartolozzi, V. Scavongelli and G. MicheliMissing persons search is a complex and articulated activity that is performed using scientific investigation techniques. Research can be pursued with dog rescue units and geophysical surveys. The use of dogs is versatile and consent a rapid investigation of large areas. It implies years long working protocols on different dog breeds, that involve testing on both simulations and real missing persons search.
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Optimal Geophysical Techniques and Configurations for Below-Patio Forensic Targets
Authors J.K. Pringle, J.D. Hansen and C. BannerThis paper details forensic geophysical results of a study looking into below-patio targets, including metallic decommissioned ordnance and weapons and a simulated clandestine burial of a murder victim. Surprisingly metal detectors were not successful to find all near-surface buried objects, with the magnetic susceptibility technique deemed optimal at 0.25 m x 0.25 m sample point spacing. Repeat multi-frequency GPR datasets over the simulated clandestine burial found mid-frequency (225 MHz) antennae optimal to resolve the buried target, although all frequencies had significant attenuation from the patio itself. The two year GPR monitoring project of the clandestine burial found optimal time post-burial to conduct a survey was from burial up to 12 months post-burial and especially during winter months. 3D GPR datasets did not have a clear advantage over interpretation of simple 2D transects, although there were significant numbers of non-target anomalies imaged.
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Modern Trace Evidence Analysis and its Application to the Forensic Study of Soil, Sand and Dust
By S. PalenikThe basis for the forensic examination and analysis of microscopic trace evidence is stated in Locard’s Exchange Principle : Whenever two objects come into contact there is always a transfer of material between them While the amount of matter transferred may be small (and even undetectable by currently available methods) and the decay rate (i.e., loss of transferred matter over time) may be rapid, the exchange of matter during contact will nonetheless occur. The truth of this principle has been proven by research and casework, most of which was conducted during the last half of the twentieth century. It is one of the few scientific principles that forensic science can call its own since there is rarely a need to establish that two objects have come into contact in any other area of important scientific research.
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The application of Geophysics in forensic investigations
By P.L. MastersThe application of Geophysics in forensic investigations is becoming more widely accepted as a way of recovering the buried remains of clandestine burials. Some police forces in the UK now use geophysics as part of their search and location tool kit to locate clandestine burials. However, in recent times the use of geophysics in forensic investigations has become over reliant in the use of one technique, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). This paper will address this issue and provide case studies of where other techniques have been used to locate clandestine burials.
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Developing the Forensic Applications of the Organic Component of Sediments
Authors R. Morgan, G. McCulloch and K. ScottIt is well established that geoforensic evidence can make a valuable contribution to a forensic investigation in criminal proceedings. The physical, chemical and biological components of sediments can all offer highly environmentally specific indicators that can aid the comparison of samples recovered from relevant locations and/or exhibits, and indeed offer an indication of the provenance of the sediment. Whilst there has been a growing body of research addressing the capabilities of the physical and chemical components of sediments (and to a large degree the pollen constituent) in addition to developing improved methods of recovery and analysis, there has been less attention focussed on other biological components that can be present and the organic signatures of sediments. This paper presents research that has been carried out to assess the ability of this underutilised component of soil/sediment samples to provide meaningful and valuable intelligence and evidence to an investigation.
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The UK Police Service Approach to Specialist Search: Structure, Training and Capability of Search Assets
By C. HopeThe Police Service in the United Kingdom has a well-established and very effecive program of training in specialist search planning and management. This training, together with the development and application of technical search assets and deployment methodologies, has been fundamental to the delivery of highly effective search operations in numerous operational arenas over many years. Whilst these methodologies were initially and primarily developed to defeat the threat from terrorism, the use of these and other techniques are now widely and effectively used in the search of the ground to locate buried items and objects that may include for example; missing persons, the graves of murder victims, the location of the remains of no-body murder victims, to recover evidence and concealed items in support of a prosecution, to gather intelligence, and to deprive criminals of their resources and therefore reduce the opportunity to commit crime.
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The UK Home Office (Centre for Applied Science & Technology): Support to the Police Search Community. Specialist Ground and Marine Search Technology
By M. FergusonThe Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) provides support for United Kingdom (UK) police operations and frontline delivery through the application of science and technology. The CAST Search Support team comprises a Search Technical Manager supported by highly trained, professional and experienced scientists and engineers from various backgrounds. This team provides bespoke ground search solutions, often at very short notice, to the security and law enforcement agencies across the UK. CAST also provides the rapid deployment of specialist teams to assist with locating missing persons, either underwater or on land. These searches may use geophysical equipment that includes sonar, magnetometers and ground penetrating radar (GPR). The CAST team has had particular success in finding missing persons in water using both side scan and 360o sector sonar systems. This team also works in close collaboration with the various regional police dive teams in this respect. The deployment of marine geophysical techniques has many advantages. For example, this saves significant amounts of time spent on costly underwater searches, since a large search area may belimited to a few potential targets by the marine geophysics, which can then be investigated by divers.
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The Application of a Blend of UK Police Service Assets in a Specialist Search
By G. PeffersThe object of this abstract is to provide an overview of the role of the Police Search Advisor (PolSA), how they interact with geologists, botanists and forensic archaeologists and to demonstrate the pragmatic deployment of search assets and techniques ‘in the field’, in other words how they actually “search”. The role is in fact that of a manager and was established in 1984 based on the role of a Royal Engineer Search Advisor. (The historical development of the PolSA role is dealt with in more detail in a paper submitted by my colleague Inspector Colin Hope) A PolSA is responsible for the planning, organisation, management and control of Counter Terrorism, Crime and Missing Person searches and advising senior officers on search related matters. (Association of Chief Police Officers, 2011)
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Environmental Managment of Drilling Wastes
By A.M. ShaikhDrilling waste is a complex mixture of chemicals and cuttings use to meet the diverse requirements of drilling operation, and achieve well stability throughout exploration and production activities. The developments of best available technology (BAT) and best environmental practice (BEP) techniques have improved the environmental achievements of exploration and production activities. The cutting re-injection (CRI) technology is one of the latest waste disposal techniques. Slurrification is one of the integral parts of CRI for subsurface injection of drilling waste. In this paper, few of the major environmental management techniques for drilling wastes are highlighted including major aspects of CRI technology.
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The Characteristics of Three Different Subduction Zones in Iranian Plateau
More LessIranian plateau is a tectonically young complex region resulting from collision of Arabian Plate with Eurasia. Existence of three different subduction zones within different geographical parts provides different tectonic and geodynamic characteristics with the plateau. In this study, we use surface wave tomography method to image S-velocity structure of upper mantle and Moho depth variations across the Iranian plateau. Our results show that there is a clear evidence for subducting of Arabian plate beneath central Iran across the Zagros collisional zone in south-west Iran. Active subduction still occurs to the southeast of Iran where the oceanic part of Arabian plate is being subducted beneath Makran coast. The oceanic crust of South Caspian Basin is being westward under thrusting under Talesh and Alborz mountains in northern part of Iran
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Geo-Electric Three-Dimension Surveys for Detection of Subsurface Structures
More LessResistivity electrical changes in vertical, horizontal and in the direction that is perpendicular to the survey line, is measured in 3D surveys. 3D electric data illustrate a 3D image from subsurface layers, therefore combination of3D electric results and surface geology is appreciated as helpful technique in electric data interpretation. What Is carried out for performing a 3D survey is as follows: first a 2D survey is carried out in the survey field and then collected data are interpretated. When the subsurface layers are defined clearly, an area is selected and a suitablegrid for 3D survey is designed. After data acquisition, by using a 3D interpretation software, data points areinterpretated. Finally, the results are compared with the result of 2D configuration. In this study, the mainobjective is the detection of a fault trend by using pole–pole electrode array which is commonly used for 3Dsurveys. This survey method by using a 3D interpretation model gives accurate results of subsurface structures. In order to confirm the abilities of this method for fault detection, after checking the final results of 2D Shlumbergerarray on a fault trend in Anarak area in Esfehan province
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Investigation of Sabalan Geothermal Field Structure Magnetotelluric Method (MT)
More LessSabalan geothermal field is a high potential geothermal system in Ardebil province N-W of Iran that is now under investigation for the electricity power generation .In this paper the fourteen MT stations of 1998 MT data set were used along a profile perpendicular to the main geological structures in order to assess the three main elements of Sabalan geothermal field namely cap-rock, reservoir and heat source. TE and TM mode data and skew parameter show that the earth dimensionality differs from site to site, so we examine the joint 2D inversion along the profile. The two-dimensional inversion has been done by using a code from Siripunvaraporn and Egbert (2000).The resulting model show a pattern of high–very low–low resistivity with depth. The high resistive layer at the surface is governed to a great extent by basalt, andesitic and old trachyandesitic flows and other impermeable rocks that have thermal conduction and acts as the cap-rock of the system. The second layer is a very conductive layer and interpreted as the reservoir with thermal convection and hot fluids contained in its fractured and pores
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Geoenvironmental Studies of Contamination of Bottom Sediments of Oman Gulf, United Arab Emirates
Authors M El Tokhi, B. Mahmoud, S. Alaabed and A. MusallamHeavy metals and grain size were determined in 23 bottom samples from Gulf of Oman, UAE. Analyses of grain size revealed that most of the samples in the studied areas lie between muddy sand to gravelly sand texture. The most standard deviations in the areas reflect moderately, well sorted grain size. The high percentages sediments of the four areas lie in saltation population rather than traction and suspension population this support the results that the sediments are mixed from different environments such as fluvial, beach and shallow marine. Studying the characteristic feature for all chromatographic pattern of four samples reflect typical to weathered crude oil. The concentrations of copper, zinc, lead, iron, manganese and vanadium vary between (9.00, 17.15 , 11.62, 19812.8, 281.1 and 19.40 µg/g) respectively which are being within the permission levels. This mean that no elements derived from pollutant sources. Nickel and cadmium concentration (497.4 and 5.57 µg/g) respectively of the studied samples are shown to be high level. The contaminations level were found due to petrogenic origin and their sources are either weathered or highly weathered crude oils and or used lubricating oil. Their detection gives an indication of recent and continuous petroleum inputs.
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Characterization of a Landslide Using 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography: Case of Akfadou at Bejaia (NE of Algeria)
Authors F. Khaldaoui, Y. Djediat, M. Djeddi, A. Ydri and F. AllguiThe slopes of the left bank of the Soummam River (Bejaia) are subject of active land movement that threatens people and the rural economy. These landslides occur on surface ruptures along geological surface. The lands involved are unstable soils supplied with flysch, marl, uncemented colluvium materials. Instabilities are sustained even in summer by surface water circulation, largely from defective pipes, which highly saturate the clay loam component materials. 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography survey tomography was carried out to delineate Geological and geophysical results on an unstable site of this region revealed superficial discontinuity surfaces that promote surface movement of low extension with large circular cutaway within the top of the unstable area. The fracture surface was identified in colluvium formation covering the flysch.
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H on V Processing and Ground Vibration Frequencies at Mohammedia (Algiers) Site
In order to development the land additional at Mohammedia site, situated northern Algeria, near the sea, and it is one part of the project shoreline development throughout the region of Algiers, geophysical data acquisition and processing from ambient vibration noise have been made to understand the ground vibrations in terms of frequency and amplification. We are also trying to estimate the thickness of boosting layers formed mainly by embankments sometimes overcoming quaternary alluvium.
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The Use of Magnetic Method to Study the Subsurface Structures in Mubazzarah Area- Jabal Hafit, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
Authors A. Gabr, W. Hashem, A. Al Reesi and S. MubarakGreen Mubazarah area is a touristic area, located in Al-Ain City, UAE. This area is planned to be the site of intensive touristic constructions. Magnetic Survey has been acquired to investigate the subsurface structures in the area, which are geologically evidenced in the nearby surrounding outcrops. Total magnetic field (TF), Regional – Residual separation technique, Reduced to Magnetic pole (RTP), First derivative in X, Y, XY directions and tilt derivative have been carried out. As well as, the depths of the magnetic anomalies have been estimated. Finally, subsurface geologic structures have been presented in the final Magnetic fault trends map. Surface geological observations revealed that, the faults dissecting the nearby outcrops can be classified according to their trends into four fault-sets. The most prevailing one trends in E– W and has sinistral displacement. The subordinate fault-sets are oriented in NE-SW and NW-SE and dominate in the northern and middle part of the study area. N-S fault trend is also indicated. The magnetic anomalies show a good agreement with the surface structural trends. The depth estimation reflects shallow depths of the magnetic anomalies, which may reflect the shallow mineralized fault zones, which have been visually detected in certain locations.
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AUV for Shallow Water Hydrographic Surveys: Detecting Bedforms in Oued Loukkos Estuary (Morocco)
More LessThe images of the water-sediment surface provided by the AUV, showing dunes in different area of the loukkos river with a wavelength differs from 1 to 15 m; they are organized in series with quite the same lengths and the same wave amplitude. Another distinguishing criterion, revealed thanks to images of the water-sediment surface, seems to be the longitudinal morphology of dunes (planimetric dune morphologies). We were able to distinguish dunes with crests straight and slightly curvy form characterizing the two-dimensional dunes. Other forms of crests were distinguished, presenting the three-dimensional dunes are dunes with crest highly sinuous, catenary, linguoid, and lunate. The latter are often detected upstream or near the banks, remaining fairly stationary during the period of our study. The AUV images constitute the first step towards the understanding the distribution of different forms of dunes, in the Oued Loukkos estuary, thus well unveil the relationship between the sinuosity of dunes and hydrodynamic and sedimentary environmental conditions.
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Re-Interpretation of Airborne Electromagnetic Survey, Al Khazna Site –Al A’in District: Application for Ground Water Exploration and Regional Geology
By M. HassounehPilot Study of Helicopter airborne geophysical time-domain electromagnetics (EM) survey has been carried out over an area of 10 km2×18 km2 in Al Khazna site north of Al A’in city in 2002. The main objective of the survey was to determine the capabilities of the airborne EM survey with respect to mapping the conductivity variation of the different sedimentary units, to see if the EM data could define the aquifer horizon for the direct detection of water-bearing formations and to try and use the data to map the salinity in the region.
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Synthetic Catalog Simulation in Low Seismicity Regions Based on Monte Carlo Method (Case Study of Naien Zone)
More LessA Monte Carlo method is a technique that involves using random numbers and prob abilityto solve problems. In this method, we fix a probabilistic model which is compatible with problem or simulate the problem itself. In both state, the random parameters are built by some specific rules and the process has been done over and over. Then we analyze the problem statistically. As mentioned, Monte Carlo method uses in lots of engineering science fields. One of the uses of Monte Carlo method is in the low seismicity regions for seismic hazard analysis and catalog simulation
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Geoforensic and Legal Aspects of Site Investigations
Authors A. El Saiy, A. Aldahan, A. Murad, H. Baker, S. Hussein and A. GabrUse of geological information as clue for identifying responsibility of an engineering problem related to construction, land use and water resource management can provide significant help to the legal system. Flooding of basements in several houses in a residential area located in Al Ain city occurred in a more or less chaotic pattern. Results of the geoforensic investigationindicate that houses that are accidently built on the gravel paleochannel had their basement flooded compared to those lying outside the channel. Thus when it comes to the legal aspect of the case, then the nature geological conditions have contributed to the damage and not the construction practices.
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