Skull find in the resin: Missed man identified man from Wildemann

Im Harz wurde ein skelettierter menschlicher Schädel identifiziert, der seit 2023 vermisst wurde. Ermittlungen abgeschlossen.
A skeletonized human skull was identified in the resin that has been missing since 2023. Investigations completed. (Symbolbild/NAG)

Skull find in the resin: Missed man identified man from Wildemann

In the forests of the upper resin, a mysterious case has dissolved, which kept the public and the investigative authorities in suspense. In May 2024, hikers discovered a skeletonized human skull near Clausthal-Zellerfeld. However, this find led to a real contingent of police measures in which the rough area was combed through for days without finding further remains. The identity of the dead could finally be clarified by the Goslar police inspection.

On June 12, 2025, it was confirmed that the skull was a 65-year-old man from Wildemann who was reported as missing in spring 2023. Despite all efforts, the search for further skeletal parts was unsuccessful. The skull was taken to the Hanover Medical School, where forensic geneticists carried out pointed DNA analyzes in order to confirm identity. It is noteworthy that the skull showed no references to the person's identity, which presented the investigation with a major challenge. However, the criminal police managed to achieve clear results through a targeted DNA comparison that led to the tragic education.

forensic methods and investigative progress

The expert analysis of the genetic material was based on the methods used in forensic medicine. The DNA analyzes to be carried out refer to non-encoding genes, which make up over 90% of human genome, according to the German Medical Leaf. In this analysis, the main focus is on the assignment of human traces. The use of specific procedures, in particular the determination of Short Tandem Repeats (STRS), can be carried out precisely. Clear differences in the genome make it possible to clearly assign human traces, which in this case contributed to the identification of the missing man.

With the conclusion of the investigation, the Goslar criminal police have now created the opportunity to release the skull for the burial. This dissolution of the case gives the members of the man certainty and a certain peace, even if the circumstances of his death remains unclear.

In summary, it can be said that both the discovery and the subsequent forensic analyzes in this case show impressive progress in the forensic work. Thanks to modern research, the techniques that serve to identify people and to investigate crimes are at a remarkably high level. Nevertheless, the question of the exact circumstances of his disappearance remains open, which will certainly ensure conversation in the community for a long time.

For more details on this story, the reporting of News38 and hna . On the background of German DNA analyzes in forensics, you can also read exciting information on .

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OrtClausthal-Zellerfeld, Deutschland
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