[FOUND] Technologies for Locating our Disappeared

Over 120,000 persons are reported as disappeared in Mexico. Behind each case there is a family searching for answers.

FOUND brings together cutting-edge technology, forensic science, and the lived expertise of mothers’ search collectives to locate those who we are missing. We work in close collaboration with these groups, combining traditional search knowledge with tools like drones, LiDAR, multi & hyperspectral imaging, seismic sensors, conductivimetry measurements, and satellite data.

OUR IMPACT

• Remains of 27 persons recovered
• 4 experimental sites
• Technologies adopted by the Jalisco Search Commission
• Collaborations with Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay, and the United Kingdom

We bridge grassroots knowledge and technology, creating practical tools for humanitarian challenges.

Our Methods: Technologies in Action

• Multispectral & Hyperspectral Imaging
• Airborne LiDAR & Laser Technology
• Seismic Noise Interferometry (TIRSA)
• Electrical Resistivity Tomography, Conductivimetry Measurements
• Satellite Spectral Analysis
• Forensic Entomology, Botany, Territorial Analysis, Soil Science

The Role of Searching Mothers Collectives

Searching mothers in Mexico are at the heart of FOUND’s work. These women-led collectives, formed out of necessity in the face of limited or ineffective State action, have become the most consistent and courageous force in the search for the disappeared.

Although it is the State’s responsibility to lead these efforts, these mothers have refused to stop. Their determination and accumulated knowledge have led to the discovery of thousands of clandestine graves and have reshaped national conversations around disappearance and justice.

Their methods—developed through years of lived experience—represent a vital form of forensic knowledge. At FOUND, we are committed to listening, learning, and incorporating their practices into our own technological approaches. Their insights shape how we use drones, remote sensing, and geophysical tools in the field.

Examples of their methods include:

• Identifying off-season plant growth or unusual vegetation patterns.
• Detecting changes in soil colour, compaction, or surface texture.
• Using T-shaped metal rods (videntes) to probe the ground and detect voids or odours.
• Listening for hollow sounds beneath cement floors or tiles.

Partners