The use of magnetic susceptibility as a forensic search tool

• Magnetic susceptibility an under-utilised forensic search tool.
• Relatively low cost, simple and quick to collect surface data.
• Variety of test studies show measurable contrast over target versus background.
• Use in active forensic case next stage.

There are various techniques available for forensic search teams to employ to successfully detect a buried object. Near-surface geophysical search methods have been dominated by ground penetrating radar but recently other techniques, such as electrical resistivity, have become more common. This paper discusses magnetic susceptibility as a simple surface search tool illustrated by various research studies. These suggest magnetic susceptibility to be a relatively low cost, quick and effective tool, compared to other geophysical methods, to determine disturbed ground above buried objects and burnt surface remains in a variety of soil types. Further research should collect datasets over objects of known burial ages for comparison purposes and used in forensic search cases to validate the technique.

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