Law Enforcement use of Geophysical Methods
The goal of this questionnaire is to gather information on law enforcement use of geophysical methods, such as ground penetrating radar (GPR), electrical resistivity, and magnetometry to detect concealed targets as part of a criminal investigation (for example: homicide graves, drugs, or weapons). This questionnaire will ask which geophysical methods were used, the suspected targets, survey environment, information on the geophysical service providers and summaries of one (1) to three (3) geophysical survey conducted. If you or your organization have not applied geophysical methods in law enforcement investigations or operational searches, there is no need to complete this questionnaire.
Providing your identity, organizational affiliation, and contact information are optional. The results of this questionnaire may be used to understand how geophysical methods are applied to law enforcement investigations. If results from this questionnaire are published in scientific and/or law enforcement publications, identities, organization(s), and contact information will be anonymized.
Within this questionnaire, geophysical methods are grouped into the specific categories, in bold below, that would be more familiar for law enforcement personnel. Below are a few examples of geophysical methods but are not limited to the following:
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Electrical Resistivity (ER), Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Capacitively-Coupled Resistivity (CCR)
Including Spontaneous (Self) Potential and Induced Polarization (IP)
Electromagnetics
Electromagnetic (EM) Induction (e.g., EM38, Metal detectors), Ground Conductivity Meter
Magnetometry
Proton procession magnetometer, Fluxgate magnetic gradiometer
Gravimetry (Gravity)
Including microgravity surveys
Gravitometers and/or gravity gradiometer
Consent
By completing this questionnaire, you agree to allow FBI Laboratory Division to collect and use your responses. *Required* ☐ I consent & continue
May researchers contact you if we have follow-up questions about this questionnaire and/or your geophysical survey(s)? (Optional) ☐ Yes ☐ No
(If yes)
Name: __________________________
Preferred title: ______________________
Law enforcement Organization/Company/Affiliation: _______________________
Phone number: _______________________
Email address: __________________________
☐ Do you wish to receive a notification of the results of this questionnaire after publication, check this box and provide the information above.
Law Enforcement Background Information
Will you be answering as an individual or for your organization as a whole? *Required*
Individual
Organization
If answering as an individual, how many years of experience in law enforcement do you have? _______________ years
What is the name of your current law enforcement organization? Note: The purpose of this question is to account for multiple participants from the same law enforcement organization. (Optional):
If answering as an individual and have been involved in geophysical surveys for multiple law enforcement organizations, list the names of the organizations you were working for at the time of each geophysical survey (omit the organization in question 3)? (Optional):
Federal Law enforcement
State Law enforcement
Tribal Law enforcement
County Law enforcement
Municipal
Other: ______________
Information on Geophysical Service Providers
How did you or your organization select the geophysical service provider(s)? (Check all that apply)
☐ Recommendation by State Soil Scientist
☐ Recommendation by State Archaeologist
☐ Recommendation by State Geologist
☐ University or College Recommendation
☐ Recommendation from law enforcement personnel &/or organization
How many geophysical surveys were conducted by individuals from the following professional organizations/affiliations?
University/College position/professor/faculty________
State Government ________
Federal Government ______
Geophysical Instrument Manufacturer ___
Law Enforcement _______
Other: ____________
What were the professional titles of the individuals conducting the geophysical survey(s)? Select all that apply.
☐ Geologist
☐ Geophysicist
☐ Archeologist
☐ Anthropologist
☐ Environmental Scientist
☐ Soil Scientist
☐ Forensic Scientist
☐ Civil Engineer
☐ Electrical Engineer
What percent of the geophysical surveys conducted for investigations were financially supported by law enforcement organizations (including implementation, acquisition, analysis, and/or interpretation)? _______
*Optional* If you are willing and able, provide the contact information for the entity(s) that conducted the geophysical survey(s):
GEOPHYSICAL METHO |
Name(s) |
Organization / affiliation (private company, university name, etc.) |
Phone Number(s) |
Email Address(es) |
adDitional comments |
GROUND PENETRATING RADAR |
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ELECTRICAL MEthods |
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electromagnetics |
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Magnetometry |
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GRAVIMetry |
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NS SEISMIC |
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OTHER: _______ |
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ALL Geophysical Surveys Conducted
Based on the total number of geophysical surveys conducted, how many times was each geophysical method deployed? If possible, provide supplemental information. Leave blank or write (N/A) if not applicable. Example: “Geophysical service providers deployed a ground penetrating radar (method) three times (times deployed) at different locations within a forest, a building, a lake (environment) in attempts to locate clandestine grave, hidden weapons (targets) concealed by forest soil, concrete, water (concealment material).“
*Required answer*
Total number of times deployed* ______
Suspected target(s): __________
Material(s) concealing target(s): ______
Survey environment(s): _________
Electrical Methods:
Total number of times deployed* ________
Suspected target(s): __________
Material(s) concealing target(s): ______
Survey environment(s): _________
Electromagnetics:
Total number of times deployed* ______
Suspected target(s): __________
Material(s) concealing target(s): ______
Survey environment(s): _________
Magnetometry:
Total number of times deployed* ______
Suspected target(s): __________
Material(s) concealing target(s): ______
Survey environment(s): _________
Gravimetry:
Total number of times deployed* ______
Suspected target(s): __________
Material(s) concealing target(s): ______
Survey environment(s): _________
Near Surface (NS) Seismic:
Total number of times deployed* ______
Suspected target(s): __________
Material(s) concealing target(s): ______
Survey environment(s): _________
Other: _________
Total number of times deployed ______
Suspected target(s): __________
Material(s) concealing target(s): ______
Survey environment(s): _________
Human intelligence -confessions, witness statements, etc.: __________
Reconnaissance searches-walk throughs: ________
Dog searches: ____________
Soil Probes: __________
Aerial imaging: ___________
Other: ____________
Prior to a geophysical survey, approximately what percent of survey sites did you or your organization plan to excavate regardless of the results of the geophysical methods? __________
Post Geophysical Survey
After a geophysical method was conducted to find a suspected target, how many times did the following outcomes occur at a geophysical survey area? Leave blank if not applicable.
After excavation, targets were successfully found within areas of interest detected by the geophysical methods: ________
After excavation, targets were found even if geophysical methods were effectively conducted and did not identify areas of interest: ________
After excavation, targets were not found even if the geophysical method identified areas of interest: _________
After excavation, targets were not found even if geophysical methods were effectively conducted, and did not identify areas of interest: _______
No excavation conducted due to geophysical methods results: ________
Other: _______
For the geophysical methods ineffective in detect a suspected target, what do you believe is the rationale for the geophysical methods being ineffective in detecting a suspected target? Examples: Target was not there, target too small to detect, target too deep to detect, surface or subsurface interference, user error, equipment failure…etc.
For the geophysical methods deployed for law enforcement missions, select reasons why you would or would not use this method again. Check all that apply. Leave blank if not applicable:
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Ground Penetrating Radar |
Electrical Methods |
Electromagnetics |
Magnetometry |
Gravimetry |
NS Seismic |
Other: _______ |
Reasons why you would use the method again |
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Saved time |
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Confirmed regions to excavate based on prior knowledge |
☐ |
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☐ |
☐ |
☐ |
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Found suspected target(s) in survey environment |
☐ |
☐ |
☐ |
☐ |
☐ |
☐ |
☐ |
Justified excavation based on survey results |
☐ |
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Saved money on excavation costs |
☐ |
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Less destruction during excavation |
☐ |
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☐ |
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Perceived as standard practice |
☐ |
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Reasons why you would not use the method again |
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Cost time |
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Failed to find target |
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Insufficient time to conduct adequate survey |
☐ |
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Ground conditions limited imaging capabilities |
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Cost of survey |
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Describe additional reasons why you would or would not use geophysical methods again:
Provide details on 1 to 3 geophysical surveys conducted for your law enforcement organization. At least one (1) summary of a geophysical survey is required for submission. Include the geophysical method(s) deployed, the environmental setting of the survey, suspected target(s) in the questions below:
Search strategies: Human intelligence, dog searches, soil probes ….
Survey Site Environment: Forest, rocky mountainous terrains, beach, croplands, residential backyard … etc.
Material in which the suspected target was presumed to be concealed: Concrete, dry wall, topsoil/organic rich soil, tall grass, (fresh/salt) water, volcanic soil…etc.
Geophysical methods: Ground penetrating radar, Electrical Methods, Electromagnetic Methods, Magnetometry, Gravimetry, Near Surface Seismic, Other
Rationale for ineffectiveness of geophysical method(s): Target was not there, insufficient resolution for target detection, insufficient penetration for target detection, surface/subsurface interference…
If you wish to provide information on more than 5 geophysical surveys, contact geophysics@fbi.gov.
What search strategies were conducted prior to or in conjunction with the geophysical survey? ____ ☐ not applicable
Did warrants limit the time allowed for a geophysical survey? ○ Yes ○ No
Did warrants limit the area or perimeters of search for the geophysical survey? ○ Yes ○ No
Were you or your organization attempting to locate a suspected target or searching to exclude a target from a survey area? ○ Locate ○ Exclude
Suspected Target(s): __________
At the time of the geophysical survey, how long was the suspected target estimated to be concealed? (Example: Homicide weapon buried in residential backyard approximately 5 years prior to survey): _______
During the Geophysical Survey
What year was this geophysical survey completed? _________
Environment of Survey Site:
Describe the search environments where the geophysical method was deployed: ________
Material(s) in which the target was presumed to be concealed: ___________
Geophysical Method
Method (1): ___________ deployed ☐ on the ground, ☐ from the air, ☐ in/on water
Did you deploy more than one geophysical method? If so, list the additional method: (2)_________ deployed ☐ on the ground, ☐ from the air, ☐ in/on water
If known, list the specific geophysical equipment deployed: ______________
Interpretation of Geophysical Survey
Were there areas identified by the geophysical survey of interest to your law enforcement organization? ○ Yes ○ No (if no, precede the excavation.)
If yes, and if multiple geophysical methods were used, which geophysical method identified areas of interest within the survey area? _______________
Excavation
If the geophysical survey area was excavated, was the excavation conducted with the guidance from the geophysical survey results? ○ Yes ○ No (If no, skip to results)
Was the target found with assistance of the geophysical method(s)? ○ Yes ○ No
If you found the target with the geophysical method(s), briefly describe the conditions of the discovered target(s). Include the depth (or thickness of concealment material), target’s condition (well preserved, highly deteriorated) … etc. :_________________________
Results
Did the geophysical service providers create a formal, written report of the survey results? ○ Yes ○ No
Overall effectiveness
Rationale for why these methods were ineffective at detecting target(s) (check all that apply). Skip if not applicable:
☐ Target was not there |
☐ Inadequate survey area-correct location but outside geophysical survey area |
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☐ Target was too deep to detect |
☐ Inappropriate geophysical equipment deployed for material concealing suspected target |
☐ Equipment failure |
☐ Target was too small to detect |
☐ Subsurface interference- e.g. roots, rebar, cables, debris |
☐ Weather conditions -prior to survey |
☐ Surface interference – debris or surface vegetation |
☐ Target’s composition too similar to overlying material concealing target |
☐ Weather conditions - during the survey |
Geophysical Survey 2:
Prior to Geophysical Survey
What search strategies were conducted prior to or in conjunction with the geophysical survey? ____ ☐ not applicable
Did warrants limit the time allowed for a geophysical survey? ○ Yes ○ No
If yes, what was the allotted time: _______
Did warrants limit the area or perimeters of search for the geophysical survey? ○ Yes ○ No
Were you or your organization attempting to locate a suspected target or searching to exclude a target from a survey area? ○ Locate ○ Exclude
Suspected Target(s): __________
At the time of the geophysical survey, how long was the suspected target estimated to be concealed? (Example: Homicide weapon buried in residential backyard approximately 5 years prior to survey): _______
During the Geophysical Survey
What year was this geophysical survey completed? _________
Environment of Survey Site:
Describe the search environments where the geophysical method was deployed: ________
Material(s) in which the target was presumed to be concealed: ___________
Geophysical Method
Method (1): ___________ deployed ☐ on the ground, ☐ from the air, ☐ in/on water
Did you deploy more than one geophysical method? If so, list the additional method: (2)_________ deployed ☐ on the ground, ☐ from the air, ☐ in/on water
If known, list the specific geophysical equipment deployed: ______________
Interpretation of Geophysical Survey
Were there areas identified by the geophysical survey of interest to your law enforcement organization? ○ Yes ○ No (if no, precede the excavation.)
If yes, and if multiple geophysical methods were used, which geophysical method identified areas of interest within the survey area? _______________
Excavation
If the geophysical survey area was excavated, was the excavation conducted with the guidance from the geophysical survey results? ○ Yes ○ No (If no, skip to results)
Was the target found with assistance of the geophysical method(s)? ○ Yes ○ No
If you found the target with the geophysical method(s), briefly describe the conditions of the discovered target(s). Include the depth (or thickness of concealment material), target’s condition (well preserved, highly deteriorated) … etc. :_________________________
Results
Did the geophysical service providers create a formal, written report of the survey results? ○ Yes ○ No
If yes, was the report later submitted into to the courts? ○ Yes ○ No
Overall effectiveness
Was geophysical method 1 effective at detecting the suspected target(s)? ○ Yes ○ No
Was geophysical method 2 effective at detecting the suspected target(s)? ○ Yes ○ No
Rationale for why these methods were ineffective at detecting target(s) (check all that apply). Skip if not applicable:
☐ Target was not there |
☐ Inadequate survey area-correct location but outside geophysical survey area |
☐ User failure or error |
☐ Target was too deep to detect |
☐ Inappropriate geophysical equipment deployed for material concealing suspected target |
☐ Equipment failure |
☐ Target was too small to detect |
☐ Subsurface interference- e.g. roots, rebar, cables, debris |
☐ Weather conditions -prior to survey |
☐ Surface interference – debris or surface vegetation |
☐ Target’s composition too similar to overlying material concealing target |
☐ Weather conditions - during the survey |
☐ Other: |
Geophysical Survey 3:
Prior to Geophysical Survey
What search strategies were conducted prior to or in conjunction with the geophysical survey? ____ ☐ not applicable
Did warrants limit the time allowed for a geophysical survey? ○ Yes ○ No
If yes, what was the allotted time: _______
Did warrants limit the area or perimeters of search for the geophysical survey? ○ Yes ○ No
Were you or your organization attempting to locate a suspected target or searching to exclude a target from a survey area? ○ Locate ○ Exclude
Suspected Target(s): __________
At the time of the geophysical survey, how long was the suspected target estimated to be concealed? (Example: Homicide weapon buried in residential backyard approximately 5 years prior to survey): _______
During the Geophysical Survey
What year was this geophysical survey completed? _________
Environment of Survey Site:
Describe the search environments where the geophysical method was deployed: ________
Material(s) in which the target was presumed to be concealed: ___________
Geophysical Method
Method (1): ___________ deployed ☐ on the ground, ☐ from the air, ☐ in/on water
Did you deploy more than one geophysical method? If so, list the additional method: (2)_________ deployed ☐ on the ground, ☐ from the air, ☐ in/on water
If known, list the specific geophysical equipment deployed: ______________
Interpretation of Geophysical Survey
Were there areas identified by the geophysical survey of interest to your law enforcement organization? ○ Yes ○ No (if no, precede the excavation.)
If yes, and if multiple geophysical methods were used, which geophysical method identified areas of interest within the survey area? _______________
Excavation
If the geophysical survey area was excavated, was the excavation conducted with the guidance from the geophysical survey results? ○ Yes ○ No (If no, skip to results)
Was the target found with assistance of the geophysical method(s)? ○ Yes ○ No
If you found the target with the geophysical method(s), briefly describe the conditions of the discovered target(s). Include the depth (or thickness of concealment material), target’s condition (well preserved, highly deteriorated) … etc. :_________________________
Results
Did the geophysical service providers create a formal, written report of the survey results? ○ Yes ○ No
If yes, was the report later submitted into to the courts? ○ Yes ○ No
Overall effectiveness
Was geophysical method 1 effective at detecting the suspected target(s)? ○ Yes ○ No
Was geophysical method 2 effective at detecting the suspected target(s)? ○ Yes ○ No
Rationale for why these methods were ineffective at detecting target(s) (check all that apply). Skip if not applicable:
☐ Target was not there |
☐ Inadequate survey area-correct location but outside geophysical survey area |
☐ User failure or error |
☐ Target was too deep to detect |
☐ Inappropriate geophysical equipment deployed for material concealing suspected target |
☐ Equipment failure |
☐ Target was too small to detect |
☐ Subsurface interference- e.g. roots, rebar, cables, debris |
☐ Weather conditions -prior to survey |
☐ Surface interference – debris or surface vegetation |
☐ Target’s composition too similar to overlying material concealing target |
☐ Weather conditions - during the survey |
☐ Other: |
Overview-Exit review:
*Optional*If you wish to include additional information on you or your organization’s use of geophysical methods, please respond in the box below:
If you have any questions regarding the questionnaire, please contact [geophysics@fbi.gov].
File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
Author | Proulx, Michelle |
File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
File Created | 2022-10-13 |