Clandestine grave detector
US8074490B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 2006 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2001/007
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for detecting a burial site of human remains are disclosed. An air stream is drawn through an air intake conduit from locations near potential burial sites of human remains. The air stream is monitored by one or more chemical sensors to determine whether the air stream includes one or more indicator compounds selected from halogenated compounds, hydrocarbons, nitrogen-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds, acid/ester compounds, oxygen-containing compounds, and naphthalene-containing compounds. When it is determined that an indicator compound is present in the air stream, this indicates that a burial site of human remains is below or nearby. Each sensor may be in electrical communication with an indicator that signals when the sensor has detected the presence of the indicator compound in the air stream. In one form, the indicator compound is a halogenated compound and/or a hydrocarbon, and the presence of the halogenated compound and/or the hydrocarbon in the air stream indicates that a burial site of human remains is below or nearby.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.