Finding into death of Unknown Remains Human Skeletons

Court Reference: 4263/2010, 4264/10, 4265/10, 4266/10

FORM 37 Rule 60(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Inquest into the Death of UNKNOWN REMAINS COMPRISING HUMAN SKELETONS

Delivered On: 8 June 2011

Delivered At: Melbourne

Hearing Dates: 8 June 2011

Findings of: Coroner Parkinson

Location: Melbourne

SCAU Leading Senior Constable Amanda Maybury

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Court Reference: 4263/2010, 4264/10, 4265/10, 4266/10

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 REMAINS COMPRISING HUMAN Remains: SKELETONS AND SKELETAL REMAINS

AND having held an inquest on 8 June 2011 At Melbourne

Find: ‘that the identity of each of the deceased was unknown and that the remains comprised human skeletons and skeletal remains

That: the death occurred at an unknown date At: an unknown location

From: an unknown cause.

In the following circumstances: ae

1. This matter was listed for inquest this day.

2. On 5 November 2010 the following human skeletons were collected by Senior Constable

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Brad Eaton of Victoria Police from the Endeavour College of Natural Health at 360 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. The college had contacted police and asked that they collect a number of skeletal remains that they had previously used for teaching purposes. Police took possession of the remains and they were conveyed to the Coroners Court of Victoria at

Melbourne.

3. Information received from the college was that the remains were believed to be in excess of

100 years old however there is no objective evidence of that matter,

4. On 9 November 2010 the remains were examined by Dr Soren Blau, Forensic Anthropologist with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. Dr Blau reported as

follows:

4263/10 Comprises a fully articulated human skeleton. The individual was a

young adult (<27 years) Caucasoid male. The method of articulation and annotation on some of the skeletal elements is typical of human remains used for

teaching purposes.

4264/10 Comprises an articulated incomplete human skeleton which has the left hand, right leg (femur, tibia and fibula) and left and right feet missing. The method

of articulation is typical of human remains used for teaching purposes.

4265/10 Comprises a human right femur articulated with a right tibia and fibula.

Probably associated with Case 4264/10.

4266/10 Comprises disarticulated human remains including a skull (cranium articulated with the mandible). The vertebrae were articulated with fishing line as was the left hand. It is not possible to comment on whether the skeletal elements are from one individual. The skull is that of an adult Caucasoid male. Likely older (>40 years) The method of articulation and the presence of a sectioned femur are typical

of human remains used for reference teaching material.

5. Dr Blau reported that without employing scientific dating technology it was not possible to

estimate the age of the remains.

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6. Iam satisfied that no further investigation is required. I find that the skeletal remains as described herein are human and comprised teaching sets. On the available evidence it is not possible to make findings as to identity, where, when or in what circumstances the

individuals died.

7. Torder that as that no person makes claim to recovery or return of the remains that the skeletal remains in each case be released by the Coroner’s Court of Victoria for public burial

at an approved facility and location.

Coroner Kim M. W. Parkinson

Date: 8 June 2011

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