A startling discovery made by two children at a beach in Scotland has investigators scratching their heads this week. According to Tayside Police, two girls, between the ages of four and six, were playing on the shoreline of Arbroath beach yesterday morning, when they discovered a black plastic bag containing a severed human head.
"Tayside Police has cordoned off a section of beach at Arbroath in Angus today after the apparent discovery of human body parts," reads a press release issued by the police department yesterday. "Officers attended at a stretch of foreshore near to South Street shortly after 10:30 a.m. after the grim discovery was made by children playing on the beach."
When investigators arrived at the scene they secured the area and scoured the beach over a half mile in both directions. It was not long before they discovered a second bag, which contained a severed human hand. Both body parts appear to be from an adult female; however, it remains unclear where the dismembered parts came from and whom they belong to.
"We are obviously checking for reported missing persons to see if there is potential there, but we would also like to appeal to anyone who has maybe got concerns for a friend, relative or an acquaintance that they haven't seen for a wee while," Detective Chief Inspector Graham McMillan told Thescotsman.scotsman.com.
Investigators are not yet calling the case a homicide and are referring to it as a "suspicious death," however that classification will probably change after a forensic pathologist examines the head and hands to determine the age of the victim and an approximate time of death. The pathologist will also conduct DNA tests and collect dental records and fingerprints.
According to yesterday's press release, a HOLMES (Home Office Large and Major Crime Enquiry System) has been established to assist the investigation. Investigators have also contacted other police departments to see if the discovery correlates to any current missing person cases.
Anyone with information should contact Tayside Police on Forfar (01307) 302200.
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