Minutes
Meeting of NecroSearch, Peter Sarandinaki, Tony Falsetti, and William Goza
November 5, 1997
Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
The meeting was called to order at approximately 3:30 p.m. Those present were Peter Sarandinaki, William Goza, Tony Falsetti, Jack Swanburg, Kim Castellano, Steve Ireland, Calvin Jennings, Ed Killam, Jim Reed, Dick Hopkins, Elizabeth Reardon, Brannan Gamber,
A brief overview of the project was given by Peter Sarandinaki. The search areas are to include:
1. 
Pigs Meadow, a four-acre site at which there may be evidence of fires.
Pigs Meadow, a four-acre site at which there may be evidence of fires.2. Four Brothers Mine area: there were probably two fires in this area, according to historical reports. This is total approximately a 100m X 200m search area. We have to first locate the fires in this area, and then do two separate excavations.
Four Brothers Mine area: there were probably two fires in this area, according to historical reports. This is total approximately a 100m X 200m search area. We have to first locate the fires in this area, and then do two separate excavations.3. A area close to Koptiaki Road (200 yards from an open mine shaft)
A area close to Koptiaki Road (200 yards from an open mine shaft)4. The mineshaft area itself, in which Sokolov dug and where evidence was discovered historically.
The mineshaft area itself, in which Sokolov dug and where evidence was discovered historically.Peter also reported about the funding prospects of the project to date. This may include NOVA, and a British film company who may each be interested in funding parts of the project. Peter expects to have the funding in place by January. The C.A. Pound Museum will fund the costs of Tony Falsetti and Bill Goza. NecroSearch funding will be the responsibility of SEARCH.
Peter reported that TransArrow Airlines will fly members of the SEARCH party from Denver (and Florida) to Los Angeles to Alaska with a connecting flight to Ekaterinburg. These flights occur on Wednesdays and Sundays, so our reservations to and from Ekaterinburg must occur on these days. Much information is needed by the airlines and by the representatives of the two governments, to include:
1. The name of everyone who will travel to Ekaterinburg
The name of everyone who will travel to Ekaterinburg2. The dates of travel (the start date is May 13, 1998)
The dates of travel (the start date is May 13, 1998)3. Equipment to be taken, dimensions and weight
Equipment to be taken, dimensions and weightPassports and Visas will be required of everyone.
NecroSearch questions for Peter and Avdonin included:
1. Can we go in shifts? Can SEARCH be reimbursed for travel if people come back earlier than
Can we go in shifts? Can SEARCH be reimbursed for travel if people come back earlier than expected?
2. Will Russia have its own photographers and researchers? We need contractual agreement.
Will Russia have its own photographers and researchers? We need contractual agreement.3. If we find remains,
If we find remains, a. What is the protocol for the remains after they’ve been recovered?
What is the protocol for the remains after they’ve been recovered?b. Does the morgue have x-ray capability? Do you have sufficient x-ray film?
Does the morgue have x-ray capability? Do you have sufficient x-ray film?4. Can we split the DNA samples so that NecroSearch/CA Pound Museum has one sample to test, and the Russian scientists have another?
Can we split the DNA samples so that NecroSearch/CA Pound Museum has one sample to test, and the Russian scientists have another? 5. Can NecroSearch/CA Pound Museum get in touch with the local medical examiner, local geologist (Avdonin?), local geophysicist, local botanist, local historian to coordinate
information gathering before the search begins?
6. Will the Russian team have security at the scene?
Will the Russian team have security at the scene?7. Can Avdonin obtain aerial photographs of the scene? The earlier the photographs, the more useful they may be.
Can Avdonin obtain aerial photographs of the scene? The earlier the photographs, the more useful they may be. 8. Will we need permission to cut the trees or underbrush? Can Avdonin secure permits to cut trees and underbrush?
Will we need permission to cut the trees or underbrush? Can Avdonin secure permits to cut trees and underbrush?9. What was the weather like in Ekaterinburg during the murders?
What was the weather like in Ekaterinburg during the murders?10. Have there been any forest fires in the area since the event?
Have there been any forest fires in the area since the event?NecroSearch does NOT want the Russian team members to set up the grids around the areas to be search before we arrive. NecroSearch can rapidly set up a grid system, and would like to view/study the area before grids are set up.
NecroSearch does NOT believe that the analysis of tree saps in the area will provide enough valuable information to offset the cost of doing such analysis.
NecroSearch will retain control of all photographs, videotapes and other images taken by NecroSearch members.
NecroSearch will contact Kodak to ask for support or film. NecroSearch is also contacting other equipment manufacturers for support.
NecroSearch is interested in having a forensic odontologist and perhaps forensic pathologist involved in the team, perhaps Lowell Levine in odontology and Bill Hamilton in pathology.
NecroSearch plans to have the following specialties involved within the NecroSearch team:
Geophysics
Geology
Computer specialist/imaging specialist
Dog handler?
Investigation
Soil specialist
Aerial photography/remote-controlled planes and photography
Still photography/video photography
Infrared
Botany
Archaeologists
Forensic Anthropologists
