“Classification of Military Munitions using Electromagnetic Induction Data: Data Analysis and Associated Quality Products" by Dr. Dean Keiswetter

This project supports SERDP and ESTCP’s efforts to detect, classify and remediate military munitions by developing effective and efficient data analysis capabilities for classifying buried metal as unexploded ordnance (UXO) or not based on the analysis of multi-coil electromagnetic (EMI) data. During the last decade, classification of UXO using advanced EMI sensors has been successfully realized at multiple sites with a wide range of UXO/clutter distributions. The primary software analysis toolset developed specifically for UXO classification is called UX-Analyze. The technical approach involved (1) merging physics-based inversion routines with a commercial data analysis software package, (2) creating efficient data analysis flow, tools, procedures and quality products, and (3) institutionalizing lessons learned. This approached allowed the research team to combine the distribution channels, user support and infrastructure of a commercial data processing offering with robust solvers (inversion routines) and vast live-site data sets to benchmark and document classification performance. The principle benefits that classification methodologies bring to the table are financial and quality related. By correctly classifying UXO and non-UXO, millions of dollars can be saved by either leaving the clutter in the ground or by changing the way excavations are performed. The quality of the decision to leave metal in the ground is documented using quality systems and standardized products as required through the DoD’s Advanced Geophysical Classification Accreditation Program.

Dr. Dean Keiswetter is a chief scientist and program director working for Acorn Science and Innovation in Cary, North Carolina. Dean’s current research focuses on the development of methods and technologies for the classification of buried munitions and the integration of quality systems and products to the data analysis workflow. He has served as the Principal Investigator for more than 15 SERDP- and ESTCP-funded research projects since 1995. Dr. Keiswetter has twenty-two years of digital data processing and imaging experience in the Earth Science space. Since 1997, the focus of his work has been advancing, standardizing and transitioning electromagnetic induction data analysis schemes for the detection, localization and discrimination of UXO and other buried objects. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Geology from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas in 1989, and Master's (1991) and Doctoral (1995) degrees in Geophysics from Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas. I addition, he has a Master’s degree in Business Administration (2001) from Kenan Flagler School of Business, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.