UNSOLVED CASES

THERE ARE five cases bodies, or parts of human remains, discovered in Tayside and Fife but never identified. The oldest of these cases dates back to 1971 while the most recent occurred just six years ago.

1971:

On June 8 1971, the body of a woman was found on the foreshore at Kingsbarns in Fife. The woman was estimated to be around 60 years old, around 4ft 11in tall and of medium build, and was wearing nothing but her underwear.

Although she had no teeth, there was evidence she had worn dentures during her life.

Her body also had two burr holes — made during brain surgery — in her skull above and behind each year.

The corpse was washed ashore a fortnight after the body of a toddler was found on the beach. However, police found no link between the woman and the boy.

1984:

The body of a white European man was found on the banks of the River Tay near Tayport on August 3.

The man, aged between 20 and 30, is thought to have been in the water for up to three weeks before his body washed up onto the beach and investigators believe he may have been in the area to attend that year’s Open Championship at St Andrews.

He was 5ft 10in tall with short dark brown hair and was fully clothed when found. He was wearing a brown “Yorkers” label jacket, white shirt and brown slip-on shoes.

1985:

On June 4 a right foot in a shoe washed up on the shore at Dundee.

However, all that the experts were able to ascertain from the remains was that they belonged to a man aged between 20 and 60.

The foot was in a brown, lace up size 8 Clarks walking shoe.

Police investigating the foot at the time said they were “doubtful” any foul play was involved.

They suggested the body may have broken up because of the length of time it had been in the water or because it had been struck by a ship.

1989:

The decomposed remains of a body washed up at Glencarse on June 24.

The body is thought to have belonged to a man aged around 60 who was wearing what may have been a white or fawn-coloured jumper at the time of his death.

He was also wearing brown checked trousers.

2007:

The partial remains of a lower left leg were found on Broughty Ferry beach on the morning of March 20.

It is believed the leg had been in the water for several months and had once belonged to someone who had spent time living in Scandinavia and the Baltic region.

The limb is though to have belonged to a man between 16 and 25 years old and was clad in size nine black Reebok trainers and black Umbro socks.