Provincial police are hoping a 3D clay model will help them solve a cold case from the 80s.
Using new technology, forensic officers were able to create a clay facial reconstruction based on human remains found in Algonquin Park on April 19, 1980.
“It's a clay 3D reconstruction on human remains; on a human skull of this unidentified person,” says OPP Const. Duncan Way. “There's tissue depth markers. The process is involving kind of like taking those averages of scientific information and using the clay some subjectivity, some artistic value and trying to get that likeness.”
The human remains were found by a hiker using Hardwood Lookout Trail near Whitney, Ont. The discovery was made near trail market number five.
A search of the area led officers to the discovery of a size 11 Greb-brand boot, a wallet with no identification, some clothing, and camping equipment.
Police believe the remains belonged to a white man between 18 and 29 years old, with long blond hair. A stamp inside the wallet has investigators thinking he died between July 1, 1971 and the spring of 1978.
“They are in good condition. We were able to get a DNA profile in 2008 from the remains. So the remains themselves haven't changed,” says Dr. Kathy Gruspier.
The OPP are hoping that the 3D clay model will prompt someone to come forward with information.
