A bone found on Naples Drive on Friday, July 25, has been determined to be an animal bone.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call about a suspicious bone found a backyard. Authorities made contact with the homeowner, who is the one who found the bone and was concerned it might be human, said RCSO Chief of Staff Lewis Blanchard.
The Crime Scene Unit was dispatched to the scene with Crime Scene Technician Alize Gscheidle collecting and documenting it. Photographs were taken and the bone was secured to more analysis.
“Thanks to the specialized expertise within our agency, the bone was quickly evaluated by our in-house forensic anthropologist, Crime Scene Technician Investigator Maddy Montoya,” Blanchard said. “After reviewing the images, Investigator Montoya confirmed the bone was of animal origin and not human.”
Montoya has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Augusta University. Blanchard said thanks to her training and academic background, the Sheriff’s Office is able to respond efficiently and accurately to forensic concerns at scenes.
“We’re proud to have a certified anthropologist on staff to assist in identifying skeletal remains and providing expert forensic insight,” said RCSO Sheriff Eugene Brantley. “Her skills not only enhance our investigations but also provide peace of mind to our community when concerns arise.”
