 The gendarmerie proceeded to interview Nicolaï, take photos of the scene, and collect soil and plant samples from the field.The case was later sent to GEIPAN—or GEPAN ("Groupe d'Étude des Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non-identifiés") as it was known at that time—for review.GEPAN analysis noted that the ground had been compressed by a mechanical pressure of about 4 or 5 tons, and heated to between .