Finding into death of Unknown Remains Human Skull

Rule 60(1)

Court Reference: 4405/2010

FORM 37

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Inquest into the Death of UNKNOWN REMAINS COMPRISING A HUMAN SKULL

Delivered On: Delivered At:

Hearing Dates:

Findings of: Location:

SCAU

8 June 2011 Melbourne

8 June 2011 Coroner Parkinson Melbourne

Leading Senior Constable Amanda Maybury

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Court Reference 4405/2010

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 REMAINS COMPRISING A HUMAN SKULL Remains:

AND having held an inquest on 8 June 2011 At Melbourne

Find: that the identity of the deceased was unknown and that the remains comprising a human skull likely of Australian Aboriginal ancestry

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

From: an unknown cause.

In the following circumstances:

1, This matter was listed for inquest this day.

2. On 10 November 2010 Mr John Durie of 76 Mount Street, Wycheproof was ploughing a

paddock on the North side of the Boort-Wycheproof Road, approximately 10_kilometres.east__

of the Wycheproof township, At that location he found a partial skull which appeared to have been dug up during the ploughing.

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3. Mr Durie attended at the Charlton Police station on 12 November 2010 and handed the skeletal remains to Leading Senior Constable Jablonka. Police took possession of the skull

and it was conveyed to the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne.

4. Photographs of the partial skull were examined by Dr Diana Smith, Acting Manager of the Bendigo Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria. Dr Smith was of the opinion that the remains were of aboriginal morphology however was unable to express an opinion as to the likely

age of the remains.

5. On 29 November 2010 the skull was examined by Dr Soren Blau, Forensic Anthropologist with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. Dr Blau reported that she examined a dry heavily weathered partial human cranial vault and that there was significant post mortem loss of bone. Dr Blau commented that the morphology of the partial cranium (specifically the long vault, slight keeling, prominent glabella, and occipital ‘bun’) is typical of that seen in individuals of Australian Aboriginal ancestry. Without the bones of the face she was

unable to make a definitive conclusion.

6. Dr Blau reported that the remains were those of an adult. It was not possible to provide a

more definitive age range.

7. Lam satisfied that no further investigation is required. I find that the bones comprising the partial human cranial vault in this case are human and likely of Australian Aboriginal ancestry. On the available evidence it is not possible to make findings as to identity, where,

when or in what circumstances the person died.

8. I order that the remains be released to Museum Victoria to be dealt with in accordance with

the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, Act. No. 16/2006

Coroner Kim M. W. Parkinson Date: 8 June 2011

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