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In Johnson City, Tennessee, police are delving into the discovery of a human skull recently uncovered at Pine Oaks Golf Course. The Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) is leading the investigation.
The skull was discovered by an individual near a wooded section of the golf course on Thursday, prompting a 911 call at approximately 5:30 p.m., according to JCPD reports.
Upon receiving the call, the JCPD’s Criminal Investigations Division swiftly responded to the scene, securing the area and subsequently shutting down the back section of the golf course for the evening.
Captain Mike Adams of the JCPD mentioned that on Friday morning, officers conducted a thorough search for additional human remains. They were aided by a cadaver dog from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, sweeping an area of 800 to 1,000 meters around the initial discovery site.
Adams confirmed that no additional remains were detected by the cadaver dog.
The skull is currently being analyzed by specialists at the East Tennessee State University William L. Jenkins Forensic Center, as stated by Capt. Adams.
The cause of death is still considered undetermined as of Tuesday.
“The skull was collected by the medical examiner’s office,” Adams told News Channel 11. “We’re looking at age, nationality, race, sex and approximately how long the skull had been out there.”
Adams said once the medical examiner’s office can confirm those details, they can start the process of identification through DNA.
“Once we get those, we will be looking to try to identify who the remains belong to, either through DNA or dental records,” Adams said. “That’s up to the medical examiner’s office to determine if DNA is present, but we believe that there is.”
DNA testing results would be expected within three months to a year of collecting a sample.