POLICE have confirmed that blood on a babygrow found near a Highland housing estate was human.
A major police investigation was launched after the stained sleep suit was spotted on a path near homes in residential area in Lochaber by a member of the public.
The Next brand newborn infant-size garment is understood to have been forensically examined and yesterday police renewed their appeal to locals to come forward with any information they might have.
The babygrow was found lying on a footpath in the Heathercroft area of Fort William. The distinctive one-piece had a 0-1 month label and is understood not to be a design which features in Next’s current range.
The retailer does not have a branch in Fort William and its nearest shop to the town is at Inverness.
A police spokeswoman said yesterday: “I can confirm that the blood on the babygrow was human blood. Inquiries are continuing.”
She declined to say whether the investigation in the housing estate, known as the Plantation, involved a missing child and was unable to say whether anyone had responded to an earlier appeal for information about the babygrow.
She said: “There are a number of strands to the inquiries being followed up.”
Police also issued an appeal for anyone who had been in the area around the time the sleep suit was found to contact them.
The babygrow is white with a pattern of totem poles, native American boys, trees and clouds.
On Wednesday, police cordoned-off an area of road and grass around where the garment was discovered as they carried out a major search.
Officers used long sticks to probe the grass and gorse around the popular footpath linking the communities of Plantation and Upper Achintore, while others called at nearby houses and flats to ask if anyone had seen anything suspicious.
Police tape had been removed from the scene yesterday.
Locals said officers had told them there was blood on the babygrow as door-to-door inquiries were carried out at the nearby Mull Court block of flats.
One resident said yesterday she hoped there was an innocent explanation behind the grim discovery.
Police have urged anyone with information to contact them on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.