Susan Powell search: Forensics expert at desert site - Salt Lake Tribune
Topaz Mountain • The search for Susan Cox Powell resumed Saturday morning with additional reinforcement — including some equestrian help.
The Juab County Sheriff Office's search and rescue team offered it's assistance in the search for Powell near Topaz Mountain.
The group of about 15 people and their horses took on the task to look in higher areas, so searchers in all terrain vehicles can focus on spots closer to roads.
"This was arranged last night. We weren't certain if they were going to be able to come as early as today," said West Valley City Police Lt. Bill Merritt. "We can use the help, why not."
The foggy, chilly weather did not seem to delay any search efforts in the remote area.
The ground search that includes the all-terrain vehicles and cadaver dogs and handlers was 15 miles out from the command post.
Also at the site Saturday was the West Valley City Police Department forensic supervisor, who has an anthropology degree.
On Friday, Merritt said he was going to call the medical examiner's office to see if its forensic anthropologist would help speed up the examination of dirt dug out up from an area about 2 feet wide and 1 foot deep, where cadaver dogs have indicated there are human remains.
But the medical examiner's anthropologist said she was not available for at least a week.
Two forensic technologists began sifting through the dirt Friday. But the process was going too slow, Merritt said.
"The forensic supervisor is going to look at whatever is pulled out and make a determination whether or not it looks like it is human remains," Merritt said, adding that her knowledge should help investigators attempting to turn up any evidence at the site.
Two other people were also added to the dirt-sifting process to make it move along faster.
The extra help should mean processing the initial dirt could be completed by noon.
Once that's done more excavation will begin. Merritt added that two more cadaver dogs will be taken to the site to see if they can pinpoint a more exact spot to concentrate on.
Powell, 28, has been missing since Dec. 6, 2009, when her husband, Josh Powell, reported her missing from their West Valley City home. Josh Powell said he had taken the couple's young children on a winter camping trip in Tooele County and returned home to find his wife gone without a trace.
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