Procedures for dealing with Aboriginal and Xxxxxx Xxxxxx human remains. In all cases when human remains are located it is important to remember that: • The discovery of any human remains must as soon as possible be reported to the nearest police. • It is an offence to interfere with human remains, whether buried or not. The Police or Coroner must be advised of the presence of any human remains. An appropriate officer or officers will then establish the area of discovery as a potential crime scene and are responsible for preserving and securing the area. If a determination is made that satisfies the Coroner that the remains are not a crime scene and that the remains could constitute an Aboriginal or Xxxxxx Strait Islander burial site, Police will contact the Cultural Heritage Coordination Unit (or their Department of Natural Resources and Mines. Officers of the Cultural Heritage Coordination Unit (or their representatives) may attend the scene and along with the Police scientific officers and collect appropriate data on ethnicity, antiquity and evidence of criminal activity or otherwise for submission to the Coroner. Further advice maybe sought from forensic osteologists/pathologists or physical anthropologists. If the remains are thought to be neither Aboriginal nor Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Islander, nor related to criminal activity or are of doubtful determination, Officers of the Department of Natural Resources and Water (or their representatives) may assist the Police in further determinations. This may require controlled removal and analysis by suitable forensic experts as ordered by the Coroner. In all cases of possible criminal activity the requirements of the Police and Coroner for data collection and site security will have priority. If the remains are determined, to the satisfaction of the Police and Coroner, to be Aboriginal or Xxxxxx Strait Islander, Officers of the Department of Natural Resources and Water will then take responsibility for liaison and reburial with the appropriate Aboriginal or Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Islander community. At all stages minimal disturbance to the remains will be a priority and they will be dealt with in a sensitive manner. Advice and guidance from Aboriginal or Xxxxxx Strait Islander elders will be taken as soon as the possibility of criminal activity is dismissed. When an offence under provisions of the Aboriginal Cultural Xxxxxxxx Xxx 00000 or Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxx 0000 is suspected to have occurred then the Regional Compliance Team of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines must be...
