Forensic experts dig for human bones following grisly discovery near Northampton

Officers combing taped-off area for clues in parkland next to A45
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A Police crime scene is expected to remain in place all weekend hunting clues as to how human bones came to be found on a Northampton footpath.

Officers revealed a member of the public came across the grisly remains of a skull while walking on the path between Hardingstone and Delapre, alongside the A45.

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An area of parkland alongside the path has been taped off and two tents set up while forensic investigators dig and comb the area for clues.

Officers continue the forensic search along the footpath on Thursday. Photos: Kirsty EdmondsOfficers continue the forensic search along the footpath on Thursday. Photos: Kirsty Edmonds
Officers continue the forensic search along the footpath on Thursday. Photos: Kirsty Edmonds

Initial investigations confirmed the bones appear to be human although an expert pathologist will be called in next week for further examination and Police admit they have no idea how long they may have been there.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said today (Friday): “The cordon is expected to remain in place over the weekend while officers work with archaeologists to excavate the bones to determine the age of the remains.

"Further tests and examinations of the bones will be carried out by a forensic pathologist early next week.”

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The site is just a few hundred yards away from the Police Criminal Justice Centre on Brackmills.

Police are treating the area around the grizzly discovery as a crime scenePolice are treating the area around the grizzly discovery as a crime scene
Police are treating the area around the grizzly discovery as a crime scene

Detectives are still attempting to identify the remains of a body found in Lings Wood, Northampton, nine months ago.

Police say the the death is not being treated as suspicious and the remains unearthed by a member of the public in Lings Wood on May 4 had been there "for some time".

Home Office pathologists were drafted in to help forensic investigations and confirmed the deceased was a full grown male with brown hair around 5ft 9in tall with size ten feet.

But pictures of clothing released in connection with the investigation have so far failed to help with the identification process.