title: Developing the use of Structure-from-Motion in mass grave documentation.
abstract: Methods for mass-grave documentation have changed markedly since the first forensic investigations nearly 70 years ago. Recently, however, there has been little advancement in developing new and better methodology, especially when compared to other forensic disciplines and even within traditional archaeology. This paper proposes a new approach, using 3D modelling for the documentation and eventual analysis of mass-graves. Structure-from-Motion (SfM), which creates digital 3D models from a set of still photographs, was tested on a small, simulated mass grave. The results of this test suggest that the method offers resolution previously unavailable to mass-grave investigators, and facilitates stronger analytical potential than the more traditional methods. Further tests are needed to validate these methods, but these initial findings are promising and their application could enhance our knowledge of mass grave dynamics.
authors.affiliation: UCL Institute of Archaeology, 31-34 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PY, United Kingdom; Museum of London Archaeology, Mortimer Wheeler House, 46 Eagle Wharf Road, London N1 7ED, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Waltraud.baier.13@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Waltraud
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Baier
authors.affiliation: UCL Institute of Archaeology, 31-34 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rando
mesh_terms: D002048:Burial; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004282:Documentation; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D012984:Software
keywords: 3D documentation; Forensic archaeology; Mass grave; SfM; Simulation; Structure from Motion