Remains found on a path near a cemetery are those of a newborn boy aged around six weeks, police have said.
A dog walker discovered the remains on an old railway path in Edinburgh’s Seafield area on Sunday night. Police said examinations established the sex of the baby and the age.
Officers are now trying to identify the boy and renewed an appeal for his mother to contact them.
Detective Chief Inspector David McLaren said: “Examinations on the remains have confirmed that the remains are those of a newborn baby boy who may have been up to six weeks old.
“At this time our priority is to trace the mother of the child, who is likely to be in need of medical and emotional support. I want to reassure her that we have her best interests at heart and encourage her to make contact with us.”
The remains were found at around 5pm in undergrowth on Restalrig path near Seafield Cemetery.
Police sealed off the area for forensic examinations and the path remains closed as searches of the area continue.
On Monday, Mr McLaren said it was difficult to say how long the remains were at the spot. Asked whether the remains were hidden, he said they were “not overtly visible” from the footpath.
He reiterated an appeal to members of the public who were in the area over the last month.
“The area where the discovery was made is popular with dog walkers and cyclists, and I would urge anyone who has used Restalrig Path in the last month, who has noticed anything suspicious or unusual there, to get in touch with us.”