Australia Human Skull Found, 15km north of Katherine, Northern Territory, OCT 2022

[TootsieFootsie]

Human skull found near Northern Territory town

A human skull has been found near the outback town of Katherine in the Northern Territory.

The gruesome discovery was made 15km north of the town by a member of the public.

Northern Territory Police said they are investigating and have set up a crime scene.

 

[Kemug]

I wonder if it's Paddy Moriarty?

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I wonder if it's Paddy Moriarty?

I looked up the distance between Larrimah and Katherine, it's 158km.

But stranger things have happened.

 

[Kemug]

I looked up the distance between Larrimah and Katherine, it's 158km.

But stranger things have happened.

Indeed Toots, eg Khandalyce Pearce and her mother. One found in Belanglo Forest in NSW, the other in SA.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Indeed Toots, eg Khandalyce Pearce and her mother. One found in Belanglo Forest in NSW, the other in SA.

Kemug, they were exactly who I was thinking of.

 

[Kemug]

I guess 158km isn't all that far in NT terms.

 

[Kemug]

Peter Falconio is another possibility.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Police close investigation into skull and bones found on outskirts of Katherine

Police say the remains "derive from a historic traditional burial". A probe into other bones recently found in the NT is ongoing.

www.abc.net.au

Days after a human skull and skeletal remains were discovered on the outskirts of Katherine, Northern Territory Police have concluded their investigation.

Police say they worked closely with heritage officers and the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority this week to determine where the bones came from.

"Investigations indicate these remains derive from a historic traditional burial," Acting Commander Kirsten Engels said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

Police have concluded the bones are part of a historical Aboriginal burial site

She said the revelation concluded NT Police's role in the investigation.

 

[MissUnderstood]

Would a DNA sample still be taken even though this has been deemed historical?

 

[iamshadow21]

Would a DNA sample still be taken even though this has been deemed historical?

I don't know, but as a (white) Australian, the idea that they'd do that in a case where it's a clear case of ancient, traditional burial makes me feel very uncomfortable. Our track record in this country for respectful handling of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remains is, well, garbage, to say the least. If it's certain that it's not a recent burial, that it's indigenous, from a historical context, I'd hope that they're returned to the local people whose country it was found on for traditional burial customs WITHOUT unnecessary testing. (Geographically and historically, Katherine's kind of a meeting place for multiple peoples, so it would really depend on exactly where it was found which people would be given it.) If it's recent, all bets are off, especially if it's got signs of foul play, then it's up to law enforcement to do their thing.