Remains found in woods near West Calder are human, police say
Remains found by a dog walker in West Lothian woods have been identified as human, Police Scotland has confirmed.
Officers were alerted to the discovery by a dog walker near West Calder on Thursday December 17, and a cordon was set up so that a detailed search and examination of the area could be carried out.
Experts have now positively identified the remains as human, and they are trying to identify the person.
The death is being treated as unexplained and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
Detective Superintendent Kenny Graham said: "This has been a painstaking process to recover the remains and we now await the results of scientific analysis.
"I am keen not to cause any unnecessary distress to families or anyone who is waiting for news of a missing loved one, and my officers will be in contact with the next of kin of any person who becomes relevant to the investigation.
"We will be continuing to conduct examinations with various scientific experts and specialists to establish the circumstances of the death, and so the area near West Calder will remain closed off whilst this takes place."