Mystery surrounds the discovery of a severed finger in the back of a ute in Hallam.
The fingertip was found under a side panel of the tray of the ute, which was parked outside an automotive business in Hallam Road, , on Monday morning.
The ute’s owner has told police he noticed what he initially thought was rust.
But on closer inspection he realised it was blood and flesh with the tip of a finger, including the fingernail.
It’s not known who the digit belongs to or how it got there.
Constable Samantha Russell from the Narre Warren crime investigation unit said it was the top joint of a little finger.
She said the digit had been sent to the coroner’s office for fingerprint and DNA testing, but no match had been found.
It was also impossible to determine the age or sex of the person who had lost the finger, she said.
“We’re not sure if it’s an accident or whether there was something criminal behind it,” Constable Russell said.
“Someone is missing a finger or knows someone who is, and we’re hoping they come forward.”
The tray of the ute was empty, so it is unlikely the finger was severed during an attempt to steal something, she said.
Police believe it is possible the finger had been in the tray before the man parked in Hallam.
A caller to radio station 3AW suggested it may have belonged to a cyclist who tried to hold on to the back of the ute for a tow.
“My mate had a truck, same thing, found a finger in the back of it and that’s what it belonged to,” the caller said.
Police are investigating the unusual discovery, and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au.
This story first appeared in The Age
