The BC Coroners Service has confirmed that a hand and foot found in packages received by two Vancouver schools on June 5, 2012, are human.

Specialists from the Coroners Service Identification and Disaster Response Unit (IDRU) and a forensic pathologist conducted a preliminary examination of the contents of the two packages at Vancouver General Hospital late on the afternoon of June 5.

The first package was opened by a staff member at False Creek elementary school about 1 p.m. The second package was found later in the afternoon at St. George's school.

The Coroners Service will now be working closely with the Vancouver Police Department in an effort to establish the identity and determine the source of the hand and foot. Further forensic examinations will take place in the coming days.

For further information, please contact:

Barb McLintock
Coroner, Strategic Programs
BC Coroners Service
250 356-9253 or 250 213-5020