Finding into death of Unknown Remains Comprising Human Mandible

IN THE CORONERS COURT

OF VICTORIA AT MELBOURNE

Court Reference: 3487/11

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Form 37 Rule 60(1) Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Inquest into the Death of UNKNOWN REMAINS COMPRISING HUMAN MANDIBLE

Delivered On:

; Delivered At:

Hearing Dates: Findings of:

Police Coronial Support Unit:

16 March 2012

Coroner’s Court of Victoria Level 11, 222 Exhibition Street

Melbourne Victoria

16 March 2012

K. M. W. PARKINSON, CORONER

Senior Constable Kelly Ramsey ]

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I, K.M. W. PARKINSON, Coroner having investigated the death of UNKNOWN REMAINS

COMPRISING HUMAN MANDIBLE

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 16 March 2012 at Melbourne

find that the identity of the deceased was UNKNOWN REMAINS COMPRISING HUMAN

MANDIBLE

and the death occurred at an unknown date at an Unknown Location

from: la. UNKNOWN CAUSE

in the following circumstances:

1. This matter was listed for inquest this day. On 15 September 2011, at 90 Mile Beach, Seaspray at the mouth of the Merriman Creek, Ms Sally Court located a lower jaw bone which appeared to have beeri washed up on the beach,

2. The area is one of aboriginal cultural significance and there are known to be aboriginal burial sites at various locations on the 90 mile beach.

3. Police took possession of the remains and conveyed them to the Coroners Court at Melbourne, where an examination was undertaken by Dr Christopher Briggs, Forensic Anthropologist with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.

4. Dr Briggs reported that the mandible is complete. Based upon the size and appearance of the bone, including enamel loss from the molar teeth, the bone is likely to be that of an Australian Aboriginal and having regard to the size of the mandible and the prominence of muscle attachment sites, were

those of an adult male, possibly in his mid 20’s.

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

of aboriginal ancestry.

6. 1 am satisfied that no further investigation is required. I find that the mandible in this case is 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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7. 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:

K. M. W. PARKINSON CORONER

16 March 2012

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