Ground-Truthing
Definition
The physical investigation (probing, test pitting, or full excavation) of a geophysical anomaly to determine whether it represents a genuine forensic target. Results feed back into the confidence model for the remaining unexcavated anomalies.
- Method
- Physical probing, test pitting, or full excavation
- Target
- Confirms or refutes a geophysical anomaly
- Output
- Feeds back into the confidence model for remaining anomalies
Common questions
Why not just excavate every geophysical anomaly directly?+
A geophysical survey typically flags many anomalies, most of which are natural features like tree roots, animal burrows, or soil variation rather than a forensic target. Ground-truthing a representative sample first lets investigators calibrate which anomaly signatures are worth the cost and disturbance of excavating the rest.
How does ground-truthing improve interpretation of the remaining unexcavated anomalies?+
Each confirmed or ruled-out anomaly refines the criteria used to judge similar signals elsewhere on site, for example a specific radar reflection pattern proven to correspond to a grave cut raises confidence in other anomalies sharing that same signature, and lowers priority for ones that do not.
Related terms
- Confidence Ranking
- A classification scheme that assigns each detected anomaly a confidence level based on how many independent methods detected it and how well...
- Decision Framework
- A structured protocol for selecting geophysical methods based on documented site characteristics (soil type, target depth, cultural noise) before fieldwork begins, with...
- False Positive
- A test result that indicates the presence of a target analyte when it is absent. In forensic serology this may mean incorrectly...
- GIS Co-Registration
- Assigning consistent spatial coordinates to all survey datasets so that anomalies from different instruments can be overlaid and compared at matching ground...
- Site Datum
- A fixed reference point, established by total station or RTK-GPS, to which all survey grid positions are tied. Ensures that anomaly positions...