Ground investigation techniques typically used for highways and foundations have been deployed in a 1960s missing person cold case, with RSK geophysicists leading the subsurface search. The team is combining ground-penetrating radar (GPR) with intrusive investigation methods such as boreholes or trial pits to characterise stratigraphy and detect potential burial anomalies. The work shows how standard site investigation tools can be adapted for forensic applications, including in constrained or previously disturbed ground.

Coates has expanded its engineered dewatering capability with a new fleet of electric BBA Pumps, including PT200 D265 (8″/200mm), PT150 D185 (6″/150mm) and PT100 D130 (4″/100mm) units for urban construction sites. The electric configuration targets groundwater control on projects from small residential excavations to complex basements, water assets and civil infrastructure in dense urban areas where diesel emissions, noise and access constraints are critical. For geotechnical and civil contractors, the range allows closer-to-face installation and longer runtimes on grid power, simplifying dewatering design and temporary works planning.

The Observational Method in ground engineering is regaining interest as major infrastructure schemes look to manage geotechnical uncertainty in real time rather than rely solely on conservative design factors. Engineers are revisiting staged construction with predefined trigger levels, instrumented slopes and retaining walls, and adaptive support measures, but uptake remains patchy due to contractual risk allocation, programme pressures, and limited monitoring budgets. Wider use could cut unnecessary pile lengths, excavation support thicknesses and contingency allowances, provided clients accept flexible design envelopes and robust monitoring–response plans.