Posted by Thom, a resident of the Jackson Park neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2011 at 2:54 pm

"The coroner's office determined that it was at least 100 years old and Native American, so the police didn't waste much time investigating possible murder."

Do they plan on catching the murderer? /facepalm Talk about a waste of money. And what if there's even a remote chance this place is/was a native american burial site?

Posted by @Thom, a resident of the Stierlin Estates neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2011 at 3:09 pm

Reread the sentence you quoted. They didn't waste time. How is it a waste of money to not waste time?

Posted by Nikki, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2011 at 3:18 pm

The sentence was clumsily written, and at first read it might sound like the police quickly began investigating possible murder, when the opposite was true.

Posted by Observer, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2011 at 4:03 pm

Indians didn't count for much back then.

Posted by Jes' Sayin', a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2011 at 4:20 pm

How did they determine it was Native American? Was there a toe tag on it?

Posted by Ta Tonka, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Nov 10, 2011 at 6:53 am

Jes Sayin, modern forensics can determine race through cranial bone structures. Its quite a science but you shouldn't sound too surprised...its been going on for decades.

Here's my 1/2 baked theory: They used native american skeletons for instructional purposes, since way back then, the natives were viewed as "less than". Cut to the 1930's or 40's and the classroom instructional skeleton becomes worn out/damaged and needs replacement. They bury the old one in an effort to try and provide some remaining dignity to the remains.