Sandringham: Could Be Days Before ID Made On Remains

Police say it culd be another three days before they know who a woman is whose remains were found on the Queen's estate at Sandringham on New Year's Day.

A senior detective of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team today reminded members of the media that we are talking about the potential murder or of a young woman and a number of families are anxiously awaiting the identification.

Speaking at a media briefing at Norfolk Constabulary's Wymondham HQ Detective Chief Inspector Jes Fry also stressed that speculation about who the Anmer victim may be is unhelpful and does not offer such families any reassurance.

Human remains were found by a dog walker in a copse on arable land at Anmer, near Sandringham, on Sunday 1 January 2012.  Police were informed shortly after 4pm.

The scene was immediately cordoned off and a forensic examination was carried out using relevant experts and a finger tip search of the area was undertaken. 

DCI Fry said: "My job, as senior investigating officer, is to remain objective and deal in facts to ensure the right outcome.

"Myself and my team will be doing everything we can, to identify the victim, find out what happened to her and to move this investigation forward."

A Home Office post-mortem was carried out by Dr Nat Cary, assisted by Dr Julie Roberts, a forensic anthropologist. This established:

·         Remains were of white, Caucasoid, female aged between 15 and 23.

·         With high cheek bones

·         5ft 4in to 5ft 6in

·         In situ between 1 and 4 months

·         Highly unlikely that death was through natural causes

·         No evidence of injury through firearms or bladed weapon or other trauma such as broken bones.

DCI Jes Fry with Heart's Neil Perry

DNA profiling and science 

Samples were taken from the tooth, femur and muscle of the calf to test for a DNA profile. The first two sets of tests have not yet revealed a usable DNA profile. 

DCI Fry, added: "Our next step is to carry out a different test on the bone, which takes longer. I am confident we will yield a usable DNA profile shortly.

"When this happens, we will be checking this sample against the DNA database before prioritising potential nominals within our (HOLMES) database to obtain DNA from their possessions or family members."

A specialist from the Natural History Museum will be visiting the site today Friday 6 January 2012 to carry out further entomological tests – the study of insects and their life span.

Appealing directly to the public DCI Fry added: "We are looking to identify people that have worked in that area, within the relevant time frame.

"We are also looking to identify any specific events that may have taken place, initially concentrating from the period of the end of August to the end of September 2011.

"We would be interested to hear from anyone who held or was involved in organising any kind of function at Sandringham or neighbouring parishes."

Anyone with any information relating to the incident should contact the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team at Norfolk Constabulary on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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