The skeleton of a baby has been found beneath the floorboards of a house.
The discovery was made by contractors renovating the property in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Monday.
Forensic analysts, including an expert anthropologist, have been brought in to help determine its age and how long it has been in the current location.
A post-mortem examination and CT scan are scheduled for later this week to determine the cause of death.
Durham Police said it had also begun tracing previous residents of the address in Fore Bondgate.
Det Ch Insp Mel Sutherland added: “Our investigations are at an early stage.
“Obviously, this is a sensitive inquiry and at this point we remain open-minded as to the circumstances surrounding the death.”
