Information for Local Government and Cemetery Authorities

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Investigations for Unmarked Graves.

Purpose of this information

Unmarked grave investigations involve heightened ethical, cultural, heritage, and legal considerations.

This page is provided to assist councils and cemetery authorities in making informed procurement decisions when commissioning Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) services for this purpose.

Specialist nature of unmarked grave investigations

Ground Penetrating Radar is widely used across many industries, including asset location, civil works, and construction.

However, the detection and interpretation of unmarked graves represent a specialised application of GPR that differs substantially from general-purpose surveys.

Key differences include:

Survey design tailored to burial practices and cemetery histories

Interpretation of subtle, non-engineered subsurface features

Soils in Australia are unique. Signs in GPR data of burials are often subtle and nuanced as a result.

Understanding of soil disturbance versus natural stratigraphy

Consideration of post-burial ground processes over decades

Ethical and cultural sensitivity in survey execution and reporting

The presence of GPR equipment alone does not determine suitability for this work.

Risks associated with non-specialist surveys

Where surveys are undertaken without specialist expertise in burial detection, there is an increased risk of outcomes that may not meet council expectations or statutory responsibilities.

Potential risks include:

False positives, where natural soil features or unrelated disturbances are interpreted as graves

False negatives, where genuine burials are not identified

Inconsistent or non-repeatable interpretations

Reports that are difficult to defend in heritage, legal, or community consultation contexts

Unintended cultural or community distress arising from misinterpretation

For councils, these risks may translate into reputational, legal, and financial exposure.

Governance, defensibility, and accountability

Local governments are commonly required to ensure that commissioned technical work is:

Evidence-based

Methodologically sound

Fit for its stated purpose

Defensible under external review

In the context of unmarked grave investigations, this includes the ability to:

Clearly document survey methodology and limitations

Justify interpretive decisions using established research

Explain uncertainty and confidence levels transparently

Withstand scrutiny from auditors, heritage bodies, courts, or coronial processes (where applicable)

Considerations when engaging a provider

Councils may wish to consider the following when assessing providers of GPR services for unmarked grave investigations:

Formal qualifications specifically relevant to burial detection or forensic geophysics

Demonstrated research or academic experience in unmarked grave detection

Experience working within cemetery, heritage, or culturally sensitive environments

Clear explanation of survey limitations and uncertainty

Reporting that is suitable for council records, stakeholder engagement, and long-term reference

These considerations align with good governance and risk management practices.

Our approach

Our unmarked grave investigations are led by a specialist with a doctoral qualification (PhD) focused specifically on the detection and interpretation of unmarked graves using GPR.

This research-led approach informs:

Survey design

Data acquisition parameters

Processing workflows

Interpretation methodology

Reporting structure and language

Our objective is to provide councils with results that are technically robust, ethically informed, and appropriate for decision-making within a local government framework.

Important note

This information is provided to support informed decision-making and does not imply criticism of any specific service provider.

Councils are encouraged to independently assess provider suitability in accordance with their procurement policies and statutory obligations.