Scientists Use Clothed Pigs to Locate Thousands of Missing in Mexico

In Mexico, efforts to locate the remains of thousands of victims of the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel have led scientists to use dead pigs dressed in human clothes as proxies to study human decomposition and help identify clandestine graves. This innovative method leverages the anatomical and genetic similarities between pigs and humans, allowing researchers to observe decomposition processes, soil changes, and insect activity that signal the presence of human remains. Since 2006, over 130,000 people have disappeared in Mexico, many believed killed by cartels, with families often left to search for their loved ones with minimal official support. Government scientists are also employing advanced technology such as satellite imaging, drones, and geophysical mapping to assist in uncovering hidden graves. The scale of disappearances has overwhelmed Mexico's justice system, with the United Nations describing the disappearances as potentially systematic. These combined biological and technological approaches aim to provide crucial clues for finding the missing and bringing closure to affected families.