Mystery over 'human jaw bone' found on NSW beach
A bone believed to be from a human jaw with teeth attached has been found washed up on a beach on NSW’s Central Coast.
Police made the grisly discovery about 2.15pm on the south end of Umina Beach on Thursday after a passer-by reported it to officers.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Laksa told reporters on Friday morning that initial examinations have confirmed the bone is human.
“A member of the public was walking along Umina beach, where we are, and unearthed what we believe to be a human jaw bone,” he said.
As police methodically combed the area where the bone was found, dog walkers and media converged around what is usually a sleepy surf beach.
Police confirmed they are keeping an open mind as they use manual tools and a cadaver dog in a search for other “items of relevance”.
Detective Chief Inspector said a crime scene was established yesterday, and the bone is undergoing forensic testing at Newcastle morgue.
He said there was nothing to indicate the location of the jaw bone was suspicious and forensics would work to determine where it has come from.
“We’re just keeping an open mind,” he said.
“There’s items on the jaw that might be able to identify (them) through DNA, examination.
“We don’t know if it’s 12-months-old, 100-years-old ... we just have to keep an open mind.”
Detective Chief Inspector Laksa said the jaw bone may have come from overseas.
The bone was unearthed by Woy Woy resident Toyah Evans as she walked her two dogs, according to the Daily Telegraph.
“The jaw had oxidised, it wasn’t white,” she told the publication.
“There were teeth still in it and molars starting to protrude.
“It looked like it had been in the water for a long time. It was very realistic and overwhelming.”
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