Attempts to find remains of missing pilot
David Knox • Published 27 Jul 2012 11:30
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BORDERS police are today searching for human remains near the crash site of a World War II spitfire.
A voluntary excavation group last week discovered bones on the remote hillside near Greenlaw - around the site of a 1943 spitfire crash.
Following laboratory tests at Dundee University the bones have been confirmed as human.
And today (Friday) a detailed search and examination of the site by trained body recovery officers from Lothian and Borders Police will take place.
Anthropologists from Dundee University's Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification will assist during the operation.
Detective Superintendent Lesley Boal of Lothian and Borders Police said: "While the remains were recovered at the site where a World War II Spitfire crashed on January 16, 1943, we will not be able to confirm identity until specialist forensic testing has been carried out.
"Our primary objective is to safely and securely undertake a dignified recovery of any other human remains present at the previously excavated site.
"While we are unable to confirm identification at the moment, the next of kin of the deceased pilot has been contacted and we will continue to keep them updated.
"An initial report has been submitted to the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Team of Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service and we continue to liaise with the MoD."
We'll have the full story in next week's Border Telegraph.
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 27 Jul 12
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