A GEOSPATIAL STRATEGY TO DETECT AND IDENTIFY POTENTIAL CLANDESTINE MASS GRAVES IN UKRAINE

Abstract

This study seeks to improve the understanding of how social media analysis and hyperspectral remote sensing can be applied in a multi-modal target-centric approach to detect and identify clandestine mass graves in Ukraine. Fifteen mass graves have been discovered in central, southern, and eastern Ukraine since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. This geospatial strategy recommends conducting retroactive searches for additional potential clandestine mass graves and prospective searches for suspicious activities that may be indicative of future or ongoing potential clandestine mass grave locations in areas currently under Russian control. This social media collection and analysis will direct targeted hyperspectral imagery collection on areas of interest. The resulting hyperspectral data will be further analyzed using spectral signature libraries, statistical methods, and vegetation indices to identify any vegetation anomalies with unusually high or low Nitrogen concentrations - a proxy signature for clandestine graves. This research will first present background information on the historical use of clandestine mass graves and the targeting of civilians in conflict. Second, it will examine the methodologies presented in this proof-of-concept. Third, it will evaluate the limitations of this geospatial strategy. This thesis provides new insights for detecting and identifying clandestine mass graves in Ukraine and provides potential audiences with another tool to locate and document these atrocities.

Primary Reader and Advisor: Jack O’Connor Secondary Reader: Anonymous