New South Wales police have defended their handling of a case where a sex doll was mistaken for a body, with experts confirming that officers followed correct procedure by not fully unzipping the suitcase. According to a report by Kat Wong, the best practice for investigating potential bodies inside objects such as wheelie bins and suitcases is to X-ray them rather than open them, to avoid destroying evidence.
Incident Details and Police Response
On Sunday, NSW police were called to a rural area near Goulburn after a suitcase containing what was believed to be human remains was found dumped on the side of the road. The suitcase was sent to forensics, and police released a statement saying the body was believed to be female. However, after many headlines and some embarrassment, police confirmed the "body" was actually a life-like doll, understood to be a sex doll, dressed in clothes, with hair, a nose piercing, and markings resembling bruises and grazes.
Investigations have now concluded, and Superintendent Linda Bradbury maintains police have "no regrets." The expert advice cited in the report indicates that opening the suitcase could have compromised evidence, so the police's decision to send it to forensics without full inspection was in line with best practice.
Expert Opinion and Best Practice
Experts interviewed by Kat Wong said that officers did the right thing by not fully unzipping the bag. The recommended approach for such situations is to use X-ray technology to see inside without disturbing potential evidence. This method helps preserve any forensic material that might be crucial for investigations.
The case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with realistic-looking objects. The doll's features, including markings that resembled bruises, contributed to the initial misidentification.
Broader Context and Other News
In other news, a massive bailout for Australia's largest aluminium smelter is expected to be announced by the Prime Minister and the NSW Premier. Bondi shooting hero Ahmed al-Ahmed has had assault charges dropped. A First Nations woman reported domestic violence concerns days before she was allegedly murdered by her ex-partner, according to Queensland police. Members of a Liberal group received 'kickbacks' from a lobbying company's Catholic Schools NSW contract, as heard by Icac. Mass evacuations are underway in Beijing as Typhoon Dolphin brings torrential rain to China.
Additionally, new research sheds light on the genetic basis of the redback spider's 'weird mating behaviour,' where the male is eaten by the female after sex. In housing news, the Coalition's plan to tackle the housing crisis includes making energy efficiency standards optional, a proposal that the Australian Council of Social Service says is 'deeply concerning,' with CEO Cassandra Goldie warning it would leave renters with high power bills.
The Afternoon Update newsletter also features a podcast on declining reading habits and their impact on cognitive abilities, and a piece on how to reduce dust in homes based on a four-week experiment by Ilana Bean.
