Coroner
Coroner Kim M. W. Parkinson
Finding date
2011-06
Cause of death
unknown
AI-generated summary
This is an unusual coronial finding concerning unidentified human remains comprising a single left humerus bone discovered on a beach foreshore in March 2010. Forensic anthropological examination and mitochondrial DNA analysis were undertaken but could not establish the identity of the deceased, the date of death, location of death, or cause of death. The coroner found no further investigation was warranted given the limitations of the available evidence. This case has minimal direct clinical relevance but highlights the role of forensic pathology in death investigation when identity cannot be established through standard means.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Court Reference 1674/2010
FORM 37 Rule 60(1)
FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008 In the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne I Kim M. W. Parkinson Coroner having investigated the death of: Details of deceased:
Unidentified Human UNKNOWN HUMAN REMAINS COMPRISING A Remains: HUMERUS
AND having held an inquest on § June 2011 At Metbourne
Find: that the identity of the deceased was unknown and that the human remains comprise a humerus
That: the death occurred at an unknown date At: an unknown location
From: an unknown cause.
In the following circumstances:
bone to Victoria Police. Detective Sergeant Paul Bussuttil of Frankston Criminal
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Investigation Unit, took possession of the remains and they were conveyed to the Coroners
Court of Victoria at Melbourne.
On 6 May 2010 the remains were examined by Dr Soren Blau, forensic anthropologist with
the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine,
Scientific testing including mitochondrial DNA analysis was undertaken by Molecular Biologist Dr Dadna Hartman and reported on 27 May, 2010, 11 June 2010 and again on 3 June 2011 after samples from relatives of a missing person were obtained. Comparative analysis was undertaken which was negative. No identification of the remains was able to be
made.
Dr Blau reported that the remains comprised a human left humerus, highly weathered with evidence of green staining on the superior surface. The proximal end (head) of the humerus was absent post-mortem and there was evidence of small shells within the shaft of the bone.
Dr Blau reported that without employing scientific dating technology it was not possible to estimate the age of the remains. She was unable to comment upon the ancestry of the individual and provided a tentative opinion that the remains may have been male, The
humerus was an adult bone, however a more detailed age range was not available.
Iam satisfied that no further investigation is required. I find that the bone comprising a left humerus in this case is human. On the available evidence it is not possible to make findings
as to identity, where, when or in what circumstances the person died.
order that as that no person makes claim to recovery or return of the remains that the bones be released by the Coroner’s Court of Victoria for public burial at an approved facility and
location.
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