DNA analysis of severed leg could take weeks, officials say

NATIONAL PARK -- Officials say it will take several weeks to analyze DNA collected from a human leg found on the Delaware River shoreline on Sunday. The decomposed lower leg and foot have no markings, and no clothing or shoe were attached, according...

27 February 2017 Monday 16:03
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DNA analysis of severed leg could take weeks, officials say

NATIONAL PARK -- Officials say it will take several weeks to analyze DNA collected from a human leg found on the Delaware River shoreline on Sunday.

The decomposed lower leg and foot have no markings, and no clothing or shoe were attached, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

The office is working with area police departments to come up with an identity.

Samples collected from the limb will be compared with DNA from people reported missing, officials said.

When bodies are found in such circumstances, investigators typically reach out to agencies on both sides of the Delaware River.

That includes the Delaware River Port Authority -- which manages several Delaware River bridges -- in case the body part belongs to a bridge jumper.

A woman was walking her dog along the shoreline in National Park on Sunday when she found the limb, which had apparently washed up from the river, authorities said. No other body parts were found.

The limb was transported to the Gloucester County Medical Examiner's Office for examination.

The GCPO and West Deptford Police are handling the investigation.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

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