Finding into death of Unknown Human Skull and Long Bone Fragments

Rule 60(1)

FORM 37

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Court reference: 1086/11

Inquest into the Death of

Delivered On: Delivered At: Hearing Dates: Findings of: Location:

PCSU:

Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

UKNOWN REMAINS COMPRISING FRAGMENTS OF A HUMAN CRANIUM AND LONG BONE

28 July 2011

Melbourne

28 July 2011

Coroner K M W Parkinson

Melbourne

Senior Constable Kelly Ramsey

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FORM 37 Rule 60(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008 Court reference: 1086/11 In the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne I, KIM PARKINSON, Coroner

having investigated the death of:

Details of deceased:

Unidentified Human UKNOWN REMAINS COMPRISING FRAGMENTS

Remains: OF A HUMAN CRANIUM AN LONG BONE AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 28 July 2011 at Melbourne Find: that the identity of the deceased was unknown and that the remains comprising human cranium and long bone fragments are likely of Australian Aboriginal ancestry That: the death occurred at an unknown date 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 24 March 2011 at a construction site on Leitchville South Road, at Leitchville, Victoria, two pieces of what appeared to be bones were located in excavated soil. The site has been described as one of aboriginal cultural significance and during the excavation which was being undertaken at the site, the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Officer for the site, Mr Travis Morgan, noticed the bone fragments in the excavated soil and collected them for examination.

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3, Police attended the scene, photographed the scene and the remains and conveyed the remains to the Swan Hill Police Station. Police conveyed the remains to the Coroners Court at Melbourne where an examination was undertaken by Dr Soren Blau, Forensic Anthropologist with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.

4, Dr Blau reported that Fragment 1 is approximately 72mm long x 46mm wide piece of human occipital (cranium) bone, which is heavily weathered and with evidence of a recent post mortem break, Fragment 2 is approximately 113 mm long x 29 mm wide section of human long bone (right mid-tibia). The proximal and distal ends both show evidence of post mortem damage.

5. Both bone fragments were covered in light orange coloured soil suggesting that they had been buried at some depth and excavated by the recent works.

6. Dr Blau reported that the remains are those of an adult, however due to poor preservation it was not possible to determine if they are from one individual, nor to estimate the ancestry or comment upon the sex of the individual.

7. Dr Blau reported that whilst the remains were those of an adult. It was not possible to provide a more definitive age range.

8. Due to the inability to access scientific dating techniques, Dr Blau was unable to provide an estimation as to the exact age of the fragments and consequently I am unable to determine whether death occurred within or outside one hundred years.

9. Whilst there is no information available to me as to the aboriginal history specifically connected with the site, I accept that the site is of aboriginal cultural significance and that the remains are likely to be those of a person of aboriginal ancestry.

10. ‘I am satisfied that no further investigation is required. I find that the bone fragments 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.

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11. 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

Signature:

Kim M W Parkinson Coroner

28th July, 2011

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