Finding into death of Unknown Remains

FORM 37 Rule 60(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Court reference: 655/11

Inguest into the Death of UNKNOWN REMAINS COMPRISING OF A HUMAN

CRANIUM AND MANDIBLE

Delivered On: 22 September 2011

Delivered At: Melbourne

Hearing Dates: 22 September 2011

Findings of: Coroner Kim M W Parkinson Location: Melbourne

PSCU: Leading Senior Constable King Taylor

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FORM 37 Rule 60(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008 Court reference: 655/11 In the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne I, KIM PARKINSON, Coroner

having investigated the death of:

Details of deceased: Unidentified Human UNKNOWN REMAINS COMPRISING A HUMAN Remains: CRANIUM AND MANDIBLE

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 22 September 2011 at Melbourne

Find: that the identity of the deceased was unknown and that the remains comprising a human cranium and mandible

That: the death occurred at an unknown date

At: an unknown location

From: an unknown cause.

In the following circumstances:

1. On 18 February 2011, Ms Lilia Andrianakis arrived at her workplace, the APA medical centre located at 1 Darebin Road, Thornbury. On arrival she located a large brown box at the front door, within which she located what appeared to be a human skull. Police from the Darebin Crime Investigation Unit attended and took possession of the skull. It was conveyed to the Coroner’s Court of Victoria, Also located in the box were some documents and personal papers.

Police inquiries suggest that the remains had been in the possession of an overscas student from

Mongolia, who was in Australia studying dentistry,

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2. On 21 February 2011, the remains were examined by Dr Soren Blau, Forensic Antbropologist with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. Dr Blau reported that the remains comprised a complete human cranium and partial mandible and that the cranium did not appear to articulate with the mandible.

3. Dr Blau reported that the morphology of the cranium was typical of that seen in persons of mongoloid ancestry. It was not possible for her to comment on the ancesiry of the mandible.

She reported that the cranium and mandible were those of an adult and more than likely male.

The presence of the left third mandibular molar and the fused roots suggests that this individual was over 25 years of age.

4, Dr Blau reported that the mandible had ink and pencil markings around the areas of the nerve insertions. Dr Blau reported that without employing scientific dating technology it was not possible to estimate the age of the remains.

5. The circumstances as described by police and the ink and pencil markings, suggest that these remains were part of a teaching set or used for teaching purposes. Police do not report any suspicious circumstances and the remains, whilst not able to be estimated as to age, appear to have been subject to some weathering.

6. I am satisfied that no further investigation is required. I find that the bones comprising the cranium and partial mandible in this case are human. On the available evidence it is not possible to make findings as to identity, where, when or in what circumstances the person/s died.

7. I order that, as no person makes claim to recovery or return of the remains that they be released by the Coroner’s Court of Victoria for public burial at an approved facility and location.

Kim M W Parkinson Coroner

Signature:

22nd September, 2011

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