Corstorphine Hill: Dentists to help identify woman

SCOTLAND’S top dentists have been drafted in to help police identity the woman whose dismembered remains were found in a shallow grave in Edinburgh.
Scotland's top dentists will assist police in identifying the victim, who had had extensive dental work. Picture: Jane BarlowScotland's top dentists will assist police in identifying the victim, who had had extensive dental work. Picture: Jane Barlow
Scotland's top dentists will assist police in identifying the victim, who had had extensive dental work. Picture: Jane Barlow

Experts from the Edinburgh Dental Institute have been called in to help after forensic analysis determined the woman had undergone expensive cosmetic dental work.

The woman’s body was discovered within a wooded area of Corstorphine Hill in Edinburgh on Thursday June 6 after a cyclist come across a head unearthed from a shallow grave.

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Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, who is leading the inquiry, said: “Since this woman’s body was found we have had an excellent response from the public, but we are still awaiting that crucial piece of information which will help us identify her.

“We have already highlighted the fact that she had extensive cosmetic dental work. Thanks to help from the Edinburgh Dental Institute, we have now established a great deal of information around the implants and veneers.

“As a result we are now sharing that information through dental trade publications in the hope that dental professionals might recognise details of the work and bring us closer to identifying this woman.

“I remain confident that, with the help of the public and expert advice, we will find out who this woman is and find those responsible for her murder.”

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The dead woman, who police estimate was buried between one and six months ago, is described as being between 32 and 60 years old, white with fair hair, and about 5ft 2in tall.

Detectives believe the woman was dismembered before being brought to the site in a holdall.

Four distinctive rings were found with the body, including a heart-shaped Claddagh ring, sometimes associated with the Irish Catholic travelling community.

However, DCI Hardie said last week that they could not rule out the possibility that the rings had been planted by the murderer to “distract” detectives.

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It has also emerged that the DNA profile of the murdered woman is being sent to Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency that deals with crime and terrorism, in a bid to identify the body.

Detectives are hoping the law enforcement agency’s national databases can assist in tracking down the woman’s identity.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police have circulated the profile of the victim to Europol and are following up requests as a result of this. Inquiries are ongoing and we are appealing for anybody with information to contact us.”

Read more on the Corstorphine Hill body