RCMP Major Crimes Unit members are investigating a set of bones, confirmed to be human, found near Redwood Meadows on Thursday. Cochrane RCMP responded to the report of bones found on May 11 at 12:33 p.m.
RCMP Major Crimes Unit members are investigating a set of bones, confirmed to be human, found near Redwood Meadows on Thursday.
Cochrane RCMP responded to the report of bones found on May 11 at 12:33 p.m. in a remote location south of the intersection of Highway 22 and Highway 8 near Redwood Meadows.
“A citizen was walking on the trail and came upon (the remains), ” said Cpl. Curtis Peters with the Southern Alberta RCMP.
RCMP Forensic Identification Section and Major Crimes South attended the scene and transported the bones to the Medical Examiner’s Officer pending further examination.
When remains are discovered, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner works with an anthropologist to examine the bones remains.
Remains are then categorized as human versus animal, a single individual versus multiple individuals, complete versus partial remains, ancient remains versus more recent remains, sex, ethnicity, age and so forth.
“Attempts are made to identify the remains using various techniques including dental comparisons (if a mandible containing teeth are present), comparison of unique bone features, examination of any accompanying items (e.g. clothing, jewelry) and facial reconstruction using a forensic artist, ” explained Katherine Thompson, public affairs officer and communication with the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General.
Investigators will continue to work with the medical examiners office to determine whether or not the remains are human.
An additional search for evidence to identify where the bones originated from is planned for today. Investigators are asking members of the public to stay away from Highway 22, where RCMP Special Tactical Operations members will be completing the search.
Traffic may be affected during the search.
