Why police took 20 hours to identify 'body' in suitcase as lifelike doll
It took more than 20 hours to establish suspected human remains found in a suitcase near Goulburn were actually a life-like doll. A forensic expert says the extraordinary case shows why investigators can't rush a potential crime scene.
In a remote area near Goulburn, police discovered a suitcase that took over 20 hours to determine as containing a lifelike doll instead of a human body. This lengthy process was necessary to preserve any potential forensic evidence at the crime scene. Forensic expert Xanthe Weston explained that the time frame was not unusual, as each crime scene is unique and requires careful handling.
Police chose to examine the contents in a mortuary to avoid risking the destruction of fragile evidence. Dr Weston acknowledged how a doll could be mistaken for a human remains, and stressed that the police followed proper protocol by not disturbing the scene. Modern lifelike dolls have become increasingly convincing, and it is essential for investigators to carefully consider the possibility when examining suspicious remains.
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