By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS and LACHLAN MOORHEAD
UPDATE 1.45pm
THE owner of a severed finger found in a Hallam ute has come forward to police.
The man aged in his 30s contacted police earlier this morning and appeared to be in “good spirits”, a police spokeswoman said.
“The incident appears to be the result of misadventure,” she said.
“No offence has occurred.”
UPDATE 10.20am
Casey CIU detectives say the ute’s owner made the gruesome discovery of a little finger’s upper joint –with fingernail – under the side lip of the ute’s tray about 9am on Monday.
Police have been unable to identify the finger’s owner after contacting local hospitals and checking the police forensic database.
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EARLIER
A HUMAN fingertip has been found on a parked ute on Hallam Road on Monday.
Casey CIU detectives say the ute was an automotive business’s work car which had been parked on the road about 9am.
Its owner initially mistook blood and flesh – including a fingertip still with its nail attached – for rust under the ute’s side panel.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au