Police reopen crime scene in nature reserve more than two weeks after headless torso was found - as officers vow to leave 'no stone unturned' in efforts to identify the victim
A crime scene has reappeared at a nature reserve just weeks after a human torso was discovered there.
On April 4, a passer-by at Kersal Dale Wetlands in Salford, Greater Manchester, found the bottom part of a back, buttocks and thigh in clear plastic.
The victim is believed to have been a white man aged over 40, who had only been dead for a matter of days.
Hundreds of specialist officers and scientists were deployed and the force closed the scene on April 17, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.
Police and forensic officers at Kersal Dale, near Salford, Greater Manchester, April 5
Greater Manchester Police has urged the public to come forward with 'any information' about the gruesome find. Pictured are forensics searching the woods
But yesterday, scenes were reopened at Great Clowes Street and the wetlands after officers received 'further reports' during 'inquiries in the area'.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, from GMP's Serious Crime Division, said: 'I understand there has been large public interest in the case, so it is only right that we inform you of our most recent update.
'Whilst our extensive search of the area was completed last week, we have some further inquiries that we are looking to exhaust during the course of the day.
'I would like to reassure you that this is precautionary.
'Every piece of intelligence we receive is investigated thoroughly, leaving no stone unturned to give us the best chance of finding out who our victim is and what happened to him.
'If you have any information that you would like to share with us, or any concerns, please do not hesitate to speak to my officers at the scene.
'At this stage, we are expecting to be at the scene for several hours, but there should be no disruption to the wider community.
The headless torso wrapped in plastic was found in a nature reserve in Salford, Manchester
Officers searching for other body parts. In the distance are police officers by a forensic tent at Kersal Dale
'I would like to thank residents once again for their patience and co-operation in assisting us in our investigation.
'We will keep people informed as soon as we have more updates to share.'
Children were playing in the area of the nature reserve where the headless torso was discovered days later.
More than 100 officers along with search dogs, crime scene investigators and scientists combed the wetlands and surrounding areas.
A man, 20, was arrested on April 6 on suspicion of murder in connection with the case. He has since been released on bail.
Police temporarily suspended bin collections during their search for other body parts, amid concerns the killer used one to hide remains.
Detective chief inspector Andy Naismith, of GMP's major incident team, said: 'Through initial forensic work, we have confirmed the man is likely to be aged older than 40, and appears to be white. However given we don't know his identity yet, we can't confirm his nationality at this stage.
'There are also no distinguishing marks on his body, for example tattoos or noticeable scars.
'My team have checked the victim's DNA against the UK police database and although this does not bring up a match, there is extensive work ongoing, including trawls of various other databases, missing person records and medical records.
'It's a big piece of work which will take time.
'As well as wanting to speak to those who may have been in the area where the body part was found, we are also appealing to anyone who has a dad, brother, or son who they have not seen in over 12 days to come forward and speak to us.
'Our victim could be a family member, friend, co-worker or acquaintance, and someone somewhere will have an idea of what has happened to him.'
