DHSS Press Release

Rita Landgraf, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Pager 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: June 25, 2012
DHSS-58-2012

MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE WILL DO FORENSIC TESTING ON HUMAN SKULL FOUND IN WATER OFF PEA PATCH ISLAND IN DELAWARE CITY

WILMINGTON (June 25, 2012) - Delaware's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will do forensic testing on a human skull found Sunday, June 24, in the water off of Pea Patch Island in Delaware City to aid in a possible identification of the remains.

Medical Examiner's officials said the skull was degraded and had been in the water for more than six months. The forensic testing, which is expected to take several months, will include forensic odontology, forensic anthropology and DNA.

A New Jersey man advised police he had discovered the skull near Pea Patch Island after he, his daughter and her friends had gone to the island by boat Sunday to go swimming. The man brought the skull back to Carney's Point, N.J., and contacted Delaware State Police.

Delaware State Police detectives are in charge of the investigation, which is ongoing.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

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MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE WILL DO FORENSIC TESTING ON HUMAN SKULL FOUND IN WATER OFF PEA PATCH ISLAND IN DELAWARE CITY

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