The use of drones is often mentioned as a way of locating information about places where missing children are buried
This document outlines what drones are and how they can be used in ground searches and with GIS systems.
What are Drones?
Drones, also known as UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicle) or RPAs (remotely piloted aircraft) are small flying platforms that are controlled remotely by an operator. Drones are battery powered aircraft that typically have 4 or more propellers or fixed wings like airplanes. They can be piloted manually, with the operator controlling their movement, or automatically, where a computer does the piloting.
What Role Can Drones Play in Identifying Missing Children?
The search for missing children includes building maps of the modern landscape. Drones can be used to create photomaps, which are like satellite images but with much more detail. Drones can also be used for LiDAR, which creates models of the surface of the land, even beneath vegetation. These maps and models can sometimes identify burials themselves or are used to locate places where other technologies are used, such as GPR.
Drones can be used to make maps, using a variety of on-board sensors. Cameras create photomaps that look like high-resolution satellite images. LiDAR sensors create 3D models of the landscape. Thermal sensors create heat maps of the land. Multispectral or hyperspectral sensors map changes in plant growth. Drones are used to fly the sensors over a landscape. The sensor sends out signals and/or collected reflections. These reflections are then turned into maps of different qualities of the land using specialized software.
Mapping with drones involves two steps: flying the drone and processing the results. Flying a drone large enough to carry a sensor requires special training and licensing from the government, because drones are considered aircraft. Most drone pilots take courses to become licensed. Flying drones is a regulated activity, but one that can be done with a small team of 2-3 people and relatively quickly. Processing data from drone surveys is also specialized and requires training and specific software. The result are maps that can be used in GIS systems to assist in the location of missing children.
What Are the Challenges of Drone Analysis?
Drones require training and licensing to operate, while processing data from drone sensors is a technical skill that uses special computer software. The resulting maps from drones are usually used in GIS systems, another specialized skill that uses specific software. Drone surveys can produce different results depending on the local conditions.
