 Mystery: July 15, 2015 Issue [#7101] |
  Mystery
This week: Treasure maps for the modern age Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon  
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Quote for the week:
There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island.
~ Walt Disney
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Modern technology has created some interesting twists that can be added to mystery stories. In a traditional story, a treasure map might have been hand drawn in ink (or blood ) and hidden in a secret drawer in a desk in a dusty library. In a modern story, the map is more likely to be created with a GIS program and hidden in an encrypted file on a jump drive, indistinguishable from thousands of homework assignments and grocery lists.
The Acronyms GIS and GPS are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different entities. GIS or Geographic Information Systems are computer systems used for storing, analyzing, editing, integrating, and sharing geographic information. A GPS or Global Positioning System, is a navigational device that uses a network of 24 satellites placed in orbit by the Department of Defense. The GPS system was originally intended for military use, but was made available to the public in the 1980s.
The GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is. With distance measurements from enough satellites, the receiver can determine the user's exact position and display it on the unit's electronic map.
The first GPS receivers available to the public were expensive and not very accurate. There are still some fairly expensive ones out there, but basic units cost $200 or less. If you have a newer cell phone or car, it probably already has one installed. The GPS unit in your smart phone can help rescue personnel locate you if you are lost or need help. The onboard GPS in a car can make it easier for you to get roadside assistance if your car breaks down, and can help police find your car if it is stolen  .
Even the best GPS devices have their limits. Like a phone or computer, it needs to be plugged in periodically to recharge. They don't work inside buildings or anywhere that something interferes with the satellite signal, such as high mountains or tall trees. If your characters use one, consider having it lose power or lose its satellite connection at the worst possible time.
You can use a GIS program to make maps and analyze trends in the data collected by a GPS device. I've used it to document changes in the size of weed infestations in a national park, but you could use it to make a map of anything you can tie to a specific location on earth. Part of the mystery might be figuring out the meaning of a series of points that a character has marked on a map. If the character was a bank robber maybe the points indicate where he hid stolen money . If he was a serial killer, they may be the graves  of his victims. If the character was a victim, the detectives may need to figure out the significance of the points on the map to determine why he got killed.
GIS maps are constructed in layers, with each layer representing a different class of data. For a modern twist on a treasure map, maybe the true meaning of the map would not be evident unless the viewer sees all the layers in a specific order.
Something to try: Write a mystery story in which a GPS unit is an important part of the plot. |
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