Drones and Multispectral Cameras Aid Mexican Search Teams in Locating Hidden Graves

A groundbreaking initiative in Mexico is demonstrating how Drone Technology and advanced imaging systems could revolutionize the search for disappeared persons, offering hope to thousands of families affected by the country’s ongoing drug war, reports Just Security.

Technology Meets Grassroots Knowledge

The FOUND Project, launched in 2023 in Jalisco, Mexico, is combining multispectral imaging with traditional search methods to locate clandestine graves more efficiently and safely. Working alongside women-led search groups, the project has successfully integrated aerial drone surveillance with sophisticated sensor technology to detect subtle ground anomalies that may indicate buried remains.

How the Technology Works

Multispectral cameras mounted on drones can identify nitrogen-rich areas and chlorophyll anomalies in vegetation by measuring light reflections – signatures that often indicate the presence of decomposing remains beneath the surface. This technology essentially replicates the keen observational skills of ground search teams, who have long relied on identifying unusual plant growth patterns as potential grave markers.

Real-World Implementation

Since May 2024, the Jalisco Search Commission has formally incorporated drones and multispectral analysis into their official search operations. The project established two experimental sites in Tonalá and Cajititlán, where researchers use pig carcasses to simulate various burial scenarios and refine their detection methods.

Expanding the Search Effort

The success of the FOUND Project has led to international interest, with the Colombian government’s Missing Persons Unit and Mexico’s Attorney General’s office in Zacatecas receiving training on these advanced search techniques in July 2024.

DroneXL’s Take

This application of drone technology represents a crucial advancement in humanitarian search operations. The integration of artificial intelligence and drone inspection capabilities is proving invaluable in addressing one of Mexico’s most pressing human rights challenges. While drones are often associated with commercial or recreational use, this project demonstrates their potential in solving complex societal issues and supporting critical humanitarian efforts.

Share your thoughts on how drone technology could be further developed to assist in humanitarian search operations in the comments below.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​