FOUND

FOUND

[FOUND] Technologies for Locating our Disappeared

#Disappearance #Mexico

Since the ‘War on Drugs’ was declared in 2006, disappearances have been one of the most critical issues in Mexico. Over 118,000 individuals are currently reported as disappeared, and the consequences for their families are beyond measure. Through FOUND, we leverage technology to collaborate with mothers in their search for disappeared sons and daughters, working together to bring a form of closure.

'I found my son in the flowers'. Searching Mothers Collectives. Jalisco, Mexico

Mothers searching for disappeared loved ones using nature's clues

The Role of Searching Mothers Collectives

Searching Mothers’ Collectives currently draw on their empirical knowledge to identify potential clandestine graves—where the remains of their disappeared children might be found. For example, in open areas, they look for natural indicators—called signs—such as off-season green plants or unusually blooming flowers, which may signal bodies buried below. They insert a T-shaped metal stake into the ground and smell it upon removal to detect any scent of decomposition. If detected, they proceed to recover the remains.

In other settings, like abandoned houses, these mothers tap the cement floor with the same metal stake – known as a ‘vidente’ (seer or clairvoyant) – listening for changes in sound that could indicate an anomaly, such as a hollow space, and potentially, a body.

About the FOUND Project

Launched in 2023, the FOUND project (Interpretar la Naturaleza para Encontrar a Quienes nos Faltan) combines the expertise of searching mothers collectives with advanced technology to address Mexico’s crisis of disappearances. Based in Jalisco—the state with the highest number of recorded disappearances (over 16,000)—FOUND has established experimental sites replicating clandestine burial scenarios common in the region. Using donated pig carcasses as proxies for human remains, the project examines conditions such as exposure to extreme heat, fragmentation, and wrapping in plastic or blankets.

GIF 1 description

FOUND is testing a range of methods informed by the knowledge of local mothers, including:

  • Forensic Entomology and Botany, Territorial Analysis, Soil Studies.

  • Multispectral Imaging

During Phase 1 of the project, the results showed that, in line with the findings of mothers’ collectives, body decomposition alters the soil’s moisture and produces nitrogen-rich areas, often visible in unusual plant growth such as off-season green plants or unexpected blooming flowers. By using multispectral cameras mounted on drones, nitrogen and chlorophyll anomalies in plants can be detected through subtle variations in light reflections. Though traditionally used in agriculture to monitor plant development and health, these technologies can be adapted for detecting clandestine graves by using vegetation indices.

GIF 2 description

In 2025, the following technologies are being tested:

  • Hyperspectral Imaging
  • Lasers, Airborne LiDAR
  • Seismic Noise Interferometry Tomography (TIRSA)
  • Electrical Resistivity Tomography, Conductivimeter

As a result of the project, the Jalisco Search Commission has incorporated drones, multispectral cameras, and a laser scanner into its official search practices. Further instruments are scheduled to be acquired in 2026 with public funding. Knowledge exchange is under way with forensic teams and search units from Colombia, Uruguay, and the United Kingdom.

FOUND is funded by the Frontier Tech Hub.

Researchers using technology to analyze potential grave sites

The Book

The book ‘Interpreting Nature to Locate Those We Are Missing’ (Interpretar la Naturaleza para Encontrar a Quienes nos Faltan) presents findings on the application of biological, physical, and earth sciences in detecting clandestine graves. The book is currently being translated into English.

Download the Book (Spanish) The book is currently being translated into English.

Partners

This project involves the participation of:

FOUND: Interpretar la Naturaleza para Encontrar a Quienes nos Faltan

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