Human remains detection dog used in police search of Chinchilla backyard

Police have finished digging in the back yard of a home at Chinchilla as part of a child protection probe, but the investigation is continuing.

Police collect evidence from the backyard of a home in Chinchilla on the western Darling Downs.

A HUMAN remains detection dog was brought in to help search the backyard of a Darling Downs home as part of a child protection investigation.

Police and scenes of crimes officers began combing the yard of the Chinchilla home on Tuesday and remained at the property until just before sunset yesterday, with crime tape being taken down from the area as police left.

A police officer sifts soil from the backyard of a Chinchilla home where a crime scene has been established for the past two days.

Police would not comment on the nature of the investigation but it is understood it relates to a past situation that has only recently come to light.

Detectives from State Crime Command, which includes the Homicide Investigation Unit, as well as local child protection officers, are involved in the ongoing inquiry.

Police today said they had finished the dig, but that State Crime Command and Dalby Child Protection Unit would continue to investigate.

The home has now been handed back to residents.

The search of the backyard has been going on for more than 24 hours.

Yesterday, it remained a crime scene as officers sifted soil from the backyard under the shelter of marquees.

A police spokesperson said a crime scene warrant was in place and officers were speaking to “a number of persons who may be able to assist with the investigation.”