The state archaeologist has joined the investigation into the discovery of skeletal remains off West Street in Vernon.
Police officers, state forensics experts, canine units from both local and state police and State Archaeologist Nicholas Bellantoni were at the wooded property at 126 and 130 West St. - in between the Reagan Road and South Street intersections - to work on the case Friday morning.
They were scheduled to be there all day.
The property consists of a two-lot subdivision with a shared driveway abutting a wooded area that used to be the town dump.
While walking in the area to look for metal for a college sculpture project, a 23-year-old resident located skeletal remains.
Police said it is too early to guess who the bones belonged to. They said all possibilities are being investigated.
Any guess as to a positive identification would be "pure speculation," police spokesman Lt. William Meier reiterated on Friday morning.
A uniformed officer with a police dog was stationed at the top of the driveway, part of a 24-hour detail to protect the crime scene.
On the property, mobile crime labs from both state and Vernon police were parked. A temporary tent-like command post was also set up.
Meier said the investigation could take some time to complete.
He called it, "A very active scene."
Meier said anyone with any information potentially related to the case can call Vernon police at 860-872-9126.
