Clothing find in search for Daniel
COMMISSIONER Bob Atkinson has revealed items of clothing were amongst the forensic evidence found in the search for Daniel Morcombe's remains, which ended this morning.
Mr Atkinson said the private property near the Glasshouse Mountains, where the search has taken place since August 13, was released back to the owners this morning.
Mr Atkinson revealed that items of clothing had been found in the same area where two shoes and Daniel's skeletal remains were located.
"During the search police and the State Emergency Service sifted by hand through 500 cubic metres of sand and searched on hand and knees to uncover items of clothing, a pair of shoes and skeletal remains," Mr Atkinson said.
"Some 850 State Emergency Service volunteers, 100 police recruits and police officers searched land and water areas within the search parameters, accumulating in excess of 13,000 search hours.
"Police formed partnerships with experts in the fields of hydrology, zoology, forensic anthropology, geo technicians (water channeling and soil experts), a DNA profiler, an archeologist, a forensic osteologist, a forensic pathologist and a surveyor to ensure best practice was followed during the nine week search.
"Some 45 forensic officers contributed more than 2,500 hours examining forensic material."
Mr Atkinson said skeletal remains, shoes and some items of clothing may be the subject of future forensic examination.
He would not to elaborate on details of the found items.
Mr Atkinson said the search area was on a private property and not accessible to the public.
"The owners of the property have asked for their privacy to be respected and have indicated that no access will be given to the site," he said.
