16 April 2010

Pushing up the daisies

That's what we will all eventually do, but now science is at the scene so the terminology is changed to "chemical changes in the vegetation" recognized by "hyperspectral imaging."

An article in the New Scientist "Air detectives know where the bodies are buried" reports on a technique using "cameras mounted on a light aircraft or helicopter (which) detect variations in the intensity of light of various wavelengths reflected by vegetation on the ground."

The technique is reported to have been used by a McGill team originally called in by Parc Safari to help hunt for the remains of an elephant, which the park wanted to exhume. The article mentions the possibility of finding bodies buried 20, 30, 40 years ago.

I wonder if there's any possibility of extension of the technique to older cemeteries?

Read the strory at: www.newscientist.com/article/mg20627555.400-air-detectives-know-where-the-bodies-are-buried.html

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