By TONY WALL
Detectives struggling to identify a West Auckland murder victim may use computer technology to produce a digitally enhanced image of the man's face.
They have sought advice from officers who used the photo imaging techniques in the unsolved Kayo Matsuzawa murder case.
The body of a man, thought to be a European or part-Maori in his 20s, was found dumped in the Waitakere Ranges eight days ago by a woman walking her dogs.
The body had been there for up to two months. Only one thumbprint was lifted and police did not find a match in their computer database.
Police say the case, dubbed Operation Fang, is "bamboozling" and admit it is beginning to frustrate them. The officer in charge suggested that whoever killed the man might be involved in a conspiracy to keep the victim's identity a secret.
"I cannot believe that after a week's publicity someone hasn't come forward with a name," said Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Franklin.
He said that his team had been in talks with the officers who investigated the murder of Miss Matsuzawa, the Japanese tourist whose naked body was found in a fire alarm cupboard in downtown Auckland two years ago.
The body had been there 10 days and decomposition proved an obstacle to identifying the victim.
With the help of a pathologist, who took skull measurements and estimated muscle and tissue thickness, graphic artists using powerful computer software were able to provide police with a digitally enhanced image of Miss Matsuzawa, which was used on flyers.
Detective Senior Sergeant Franklin said he was keen to use that technology, although he still hoped that help would be given by someone known to the victim or killer(s). Publicity about the victim's distinctive clothing and Maori pendant would normally have resulted in a positive match.
"It is possible that more than one person knows what has happened, or the identity of the victim, and for whatever reason is reluctant to advise us."
Detective Senior Sergeant Franklin said there were no personal items on the body. "Either he's been robbed, or there's been an effort by those involved to strip him of identifying features."
He did not believe the victim was tied up with gangs.
"This guy is clean-cut, he doesn't have any tattoos, the preliminary fingerprint check shows he's not even in our system. It doesn't have the flavour of drugs and gangs to me."
Detective Senior Sergeant Franklin said police could not rule out the possibility that Keith London, the man suspected of shooting his partner at their New Lynn home in June, was involved, as he was last seen within about 1km of where the body was found.
But he understood the victim had not been shot. Police are refusing to say how he died.
Police want anyone with information to call 0800 673-264.
Police look to imaging for body ID
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