Uncovering past: How technology can be used in tracing the dead

Did you know that it is possible to trace the remains of those missing in death through technology?

Thanks to developments in both forensic science and archaeological technology, it is now possible to not only track the unmarked graves of the deceased with a level of precision never before possible but also identify their remains once they are found.

Researchers from the University of Nairobi and The National Museums of Kenya on February 29 illustrated the different technologies that they believe can and should be used in tracing the dead and identifying their remains.

These technologies are crucial for solving historical puzzles and giving families and communities closure because they can be used to identify remains that date back even decades.

Osteology

Osteology refers to the study of bones and includes studies of both human and animal bone material.

In archaeological digs, the majority of the material found is osteological, regardless of whether the site has residence buildings or graves.

Dr Ogeto Mwebi, a senior research scientist with 30 years of osteological collections curation and research at the National Museums of Kenya, explained how the practice of osteology can be used to identify the bones of the dead.

These technologies are crucial for solving historical puzzles and giving families and communities closure because they can be used to identify remains that date back even decades.

The osteologist went ahead to illustrate how bones found during the search of the dead, can either be identified as human bones or not.

“A forensic osteologist typically uses a process of elimination to identify bones that do not fit the conventional sizes, shapes, and densities of human bones,” he said.

Mwebi, for instance, showed the bone structure of a crocodile as compared to a human.

He explained that in a case where a search for human remains would uncover the bones of a crocodile, it would be easier for osteologists to identify the bones of the animal as ‘not human’ because of the distinct bone structure of a crocodile.

In identifying the gender of the dead, Mwebi suggests the use of the pelvic bone.

Although the skull can and has been used before, he advises the pelvic bone as the most accurate way, highlighting that it has had more than 90 per cent accuracy in the past.

“The female pelvic cavity is designed to have the capacity for the passage of a child during childbirth so it appears to have a wider opening than the male pelvic cavity,” Mwebi explained.

This opening can be seen in his illustrations to be V-shaped.

Another way to use osteology in the identification of dead people’s remains is by looking at the teeth's cusp patterns and the damage to the teeth.

“The teeth can help to identify a person and to estimate the person’s age, sex and health status. Teeth might also tell something about what happened to the deceased before death,” Mwebi said.

Teeth develop, change, and go through several stages as people age and become older. The distinct qualities of each of these phases can be used to estimate an individual's age.

There are various approaches to examining a tooth to determine its stage of teeth and, consequently, an individual's age.

A tooth begins to form two layers of cementum, or hard tissue, as it erupts, or breaks through the jawbone. Cementum is a tough material that encircles the tooth's root.

Under a microscope, a cross-section of the tooth’s root reveals these layers as what looks like light and dark tree ring formations. Researchers can determine a person's age at death by counting the layers and adding the year of the eruption.

According to the osteologist, the state in which the teeth have been found can provide information about whether the teeth's owner lost them before or after their passing.

Osteology, especially through the identification of teeth, is also applied in criminal investigations. Teeth can be used for personal identification since each person's set of teeth is distinct.

Detectives use that information to identify victims of crime.

Investigators carefully examine several factors including the number of teeth present, the types of teeth (permanent “adult” teeth versus deciduous “baby” teeth), the positions and orientations of the teeth, the shapes and sizes of the teeth, and any signs of disease or dental treatments like braces or fillings.

Then, by comparing this detailed description with dental data, the person's identity can be determined.

Ground penetrating radar

Ground penetrating radar is a geophysical technique that uses radar pulses to survey the ground.

GPR is a technology that is otherwise used to map subsurface geological structures and groundwater contaminants.

According to geologists, it can and should be used in mapping the locations of buried remains and unmarked graves.

Research shows that when a hole is dug, it leaves a scar in the ground that can be picked up by GPR hundreds and sometimes even thousands of years later.

The geologists explained how scientists used GPR technology to find the remains of Monarch King Richard III.

In 2010, the Richard III Society, Leicester City Council, and the University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) started their joint hunt for King Richard III's remains. Although the precise location of Richard III's grave was unknown, historical records indicated that he was buried at the Grey Friars Church in Leicester following his death in 1485. 

GPR was used as one of the primary techniques to survey the area beneath a parking lot in Leicester, where his remains were believed to be.

His remains were excavated and later reburied after staying in an unmarked grave for more than 500 years.

GPR works by emitting radar pulses into the ground and detecting reflections from buried objects, allowing archaeologists to map subsurface features without excavation.

It is a good way to locate unmarked graves without disturbing the ground, geologists say.

Cartography

This is the third technology that geophysicists suggest to be used in locating the unmarked graves and remains of those missing in death.

Cartography is the art and science of visually representing a geographical area, usually on a flat surface such as a map, globe or chart.

Dennis Milewa, a cartographer at the National Museums of Kenya illustrated how the different maps can be used to locate unmarked graves.

“With the advancement in technology, I can say that we can now use maps both online and offline. Online cartography tools like Google Maps and Google Earth that enable users to zoom in to find a precise location should be used in identifying the locations of unmarked graves,” Milewa noted.

He recommends the use of digital maps as they are more accurate citing that they are updated more often than the charts.

He explained how the different types of maps including thematic maps and charts help in identifying locations for geologists to excavate remains.

Unlike general reference maps, which are intended to represent geographical elements like rivers, mountains, and political boundaries, thematic maps concentrate on communicating specific details or themes associated with a given subject.

This usually entails using map symbols to display certain characteristics of geographic features like population, language, or temperature that are not easily visible to the naked eye.

The use of these technologies has proven hard for geologists who have been in search of the unmarked grave and remains of Kenyan freedom fighter Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi.

They cite the lack of historical records as a stumbling block. They also said that they have encountered pushback from the communities that live in the areas suspected of having unmarked graves.

Speaking during the workshop that sought to elaborate on the technologies to be used, geologists say there is a need for education of local communities on why it is important to identify unmarked graves and remains.

This, they say, will encourage collaboration between archaeologists, historians and local communities with the latest possible technology in finding and reclaiming the freedom fighter’s remains.