Skull fragments found in Fuller Park human, likely scientific specimens

Thirteen skull fragments discovered a home in the South Side Fuller Park neighborhood are human and were likely donated to science “long ago,” according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

The building owner called police after he found some “unusual objects” in the building about 11:40 a.m. Monday in the 200 block of West Root Street, according to Chicago Police.

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Stephen Cina examined the bones Tuesday along with a forensic anthropology consultant and found they included cranial caps, bases of skulls that had been sectioned and mandibles, according to a statement from the medical examiner’s office. One of the bones was non-human.

The bones had been “sawed in a manner consistent with dissection for teaching purposes and/or autopsy,” according to the medical examiner’s office.

The building where the bones were found once housed a biological specimen facility, and an investigation found they were likely donated to science.

No death certificate will be issued; and the bones will be buried in a casket by the medical examiner’s office.