Demographics
male
Finding date
2024-05-24
Cause of death
unable to determine
AI-generated summary
This coronial finding concerns an unidentified right humerus discovered at Dolphin Sands, Tasmania in June 2000. Forensic and anthropological analysis indicated the bone belonged to a male aged approximately 50-60 years and 176 cm tall. DNA profiling against Tasmanian databases and the National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons yielded no matches. The coroner was unable to establish the deceased's identity, cause of death, manner of death, or when and where death occurred. No medical or clinical errors were identified. The coroner expressed hope that future DNA database expansions may eventually identify the remains, and noted no further reasonable investigation could be conducted at that time.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
MAGISTRATES COURT of TASMANIA
CORONIAL DIVISION Record of Investigation into Death (Without Inquest) Coroners Act 1995 Coroners Rules 2006 Rule 11 I, Simon Cooper, Coroner, having investigated an unidentified human remain, namely a right humerus reported pursuant to the Coroners Act 1995 in June 2000.
Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that.
a) I am unable to identify the identity of the deceased; b) I am unable to identify how the death occurred; c) I am unable to identify the cause of death; and d) I am unable to identify when and where the death occurred.
The humerus was located at Dolphin Sands, Tasmania on 9 June 2000 and handed to local police. Enquiries were conducted pursuant to the Coroners Act 1995. Forensic and anthropological testing determined that the humerus was that of a male who was aged about 50 to 60 years and about 176cm tall. No other information was able to be discerned at that time to assist to determine the identity of the deceased person.
No further investigation was carried out in the aftermath of its discovery until last year when, at my direction, the DNA profile of the humerus was compared to other DNA profiles on the Tasmanian database, however a match was not made. That profiling did however exclude as a possibility that the humerus was of aboriginal ancestry.
In addition, the humerus was examined as part of the National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons without result.
As more DNA profiles are added to the database, it is my hope that one day the humerus will be identified.
Comments and Recommendations The circumstances surrounding discovery of the humerus are not such that require me to make any comments or recommendations pursuant to Section 28 of the Coroners Act 1995.
I do not consider that there is any further investigation that can be reasonably carried out to attempt to establish the identity of the deceased male to whom the humerus belonged.
I extend my appreciation to the scientific, forensic and medical practitioners involved in the examinations of the humerus.
Dated: 24 May 2024 at Hobart, in the State of Tasmania.
Simon Cooper Coroner
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