A Calgary forensic pathologist is expected to determine this week whether bones discovered recently in a wooded area north of Innisfail are human.
In the meantime, the rural site, located about 10 kilometres north of town just west of the QEII and near Rge. Rd. 275B, is considered a “crime scene”, said RCMP Sgt. Jack Poitras, manager of media relations for K Division headquarters in Edmonton.
“Until we get answers on what was found, we treat it as a crime scene in case they turn out to be human,” said Poitras. “We always err on the side of caution, and so we investigate it as a possible homicide until we prove otherwise, so we can do continuity of evidence.”
The bones were discovered at about 7 p.m. on April 5. The case was then turned over to RCMP K Division. Specialized units were called in to examine and preserve the site and collect evidence, including members from the Red Deer Forensic Identification Section, officers from Calgary Major Crimes, as well as the Special Tactical Operations Team, which conducted a thorough ground search. The police teams scoured the immediate area for evidence for at least two full days last week.
The bones were then sent to the Calgary Medical Examiner's Office for a consultation with the forensic pathologist, said an RCMP news release issued last week.
“The bones are being verified by an anthropologist to see if they are human. They will deal with the DNA at that point,” said Poitras, adding more definitive answers about the nature of the bones will be released this week. “They said probably mid-week, and an update will likely be either Wednesday or Thursday.”
The RCMP investigation continues.
RCMP Sgt. Jack Poitras
"Until we get answers on what was found, we treat it as a crime scene in case they turn out to be human."
