Port Macquarie: Human remains found as police examine DNA match for missing Mark James
Forensic testing will determine the DNA of ‘unidentifiable’ human remains which where washed ashore and located by beach walkers this morning at Miners Beach and Little Bay this morning.
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Human remains washed-up at two Port Macquarie beaches will undergo forensic DNA testing to determine whether they belong to missing Port Macquarie man, Mark James, police said.
Police established a crime scene shortly before 8am this morning following reports that the remains of a body had been located by early morning walkers at Miners Beach and Little Bay this morning.
“An initial analysis found the gender to be unidentifiable,” Police Inspector Michael Aldridge said.
He said that police would be examining the profile of 56-year-old Mark James, who went missing from Lighthouse Beach nearly 10 days ago, to determine whether there was a match.
“It is line of investigation we are following.”
Mr James was last seen on Friday, September 18, a day before an extensive air, land and sea search was launched to try and locate him.
Police spent days searching for Mr James after his family found his red RAV4 at Tacking Point lighthouse.
The search had been assisted by Polair, Surf Lifesaving NSW, Marine Rescue and the State Emergency Service.
No information relating to his whereabouts has been reported since.
Mr Aldridge said police will also examine a database of missing person’s to determine the possibility that they could belong to any of a number of missing person’s from here and nearby locations.
He said it could take anywhere between two weeks to a month for the results to come back.
“We will look at the entire database and surrounding areas as well, such as missing people from Coffs Harbour,” Inspector Aldridge said.
“The length of time in determining the results can vary, but we expect it could be anywhere between two weeks to one month.