Southampton: Placenta buried in cultural ritual, police say

Human placenta found on road triggers eight-month police investigation It was buried as part of a cultural ritual and was likely dug up by a fox, police say did.

The placenta was discovered by a member of the public off Dale Road in Southampton on June 21, raising concerns for the safety of the mother and child.

The force said it had not seen any media appeals by the family to come forward.

Prosecutor Marcus Kennedy told the BBC that both mother and child were safe and healthy and there was no criminal element to the incident.

“The place where the placenta was buried was probably dug up and moved by an animal, probably a fox,” he said.

He added that officers were still “learning and understanding” the cultural significance of burials.

After confirming the finder was human, investigators contacted local hospitals to find out who gave birth and which family had kept the placenta, Kennedy said.

The team also reviewed hours of surveillance cameras and went door-to-door.

“The DNA testing of the placenta showed that it came from a specific ethnic group, which really helped us find the family,” said Detective Kennedy.

The force then narrowed down its investigation to investigate unregistered births in the area.

The officer said that when the unit began its investigation, the objective was “care, not crime”, adding: “It was all about finding the mother and child safe and well.”