Police investigating the murder of a new-born baby in Co Down have called on the services of a behavioural adviser from Britain.
The body of the boy was found in a wooded area on the shore of Strangford Lough near Newtownards, Co Down, on October 6th. Detectives investigating the case say he was born alive and healthy but died of "horrific multiple injuries" which were inflicted shortly after his birth.
A dedicated team of detectives set up to investigate the murder has been unable to trace the parents of the murdered child, despite eliminating hundreds of women from their inquiries, some from DNA tests.
Det Sgt Sharon Little, one of the inquiry team, appealed directly to the boy's mother to come forward. "I am also a mother and I am aware she must feel very confused, frightened and alone," she said.
Sgt Little said the team wanted to speak to anyone else who knew anything about the incident or had had their suspicions raised. It was "unbelievable that a woman could have given birth without anyone knowing. There must be someone who can help us by providing information", she said.
A behavioural adviser from the British Home Office's National Crime Faculty had been consulted about the case and is expected to visit the North soon. The adviser will be asked to build up a profile of those involved.
Another member of the team, Det Insp Gary Crawford, stressed they had an open mind on the case and were not assuming the mother had been involved in the baby's death.
He said the team was following a number of lines of inquiry and had been in contact with other police forces in Britain as well as the gardai.
The baby's body was discovered by a member of the public who was out walking in the area.