United Nations Children's Fund has estimated that about one million people have died from injuries caused by exploding landmines since 1975, which corresponds to approx. 25 000 deaths annually. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) upon request, support the United Nations (UN) with mine action. MSB has been involved in mine action since 1999 and recently questioned their current method of collecting geodata. Purpose of this study is therefore that, on behalf of the unit for logistics and support resources, department coordination and operation of the MSB, examine the Agency's current collection method of geodata in mine action efforts and to compare this with the globally used methods of measurement.

The study began with an interview that was conducted in order to gain a deeper understanding of how the fieldwork at the mine clearing sites is carried out. Based on the information that came up in the interview and that is documented in the UN standards and guidelines, an empirical test was designed. The test consisted of using various methods and techniques to measure a number of reference points. The collected data were evaluated with a number of predetermined criteria, where each criterion could give a score between 0-3. Finally, the scores were summed together and the method/technique with the highest score was considered most appropriate. Since the availability of all measurement techniques that may be appropriate for this type of measurement was missing, a comparable theoretical evaluation was designed.

The results of the empirical test showed that none of the measurement methods and measurement techniques met the study requirements of a standard deviation less than 0,5 meters. In contrast, the theoretical evaluation showed that there are potential technologies. But they should first be evaluated empirically.

The main reasons for that MSB’s demining personnel is still using measuring tapes and compass is because the laws and regulations in the affected countries not always allow other technologies, lack of knowledge regarding surveying among response personnel, and expensive measuring instruments.