Baby death police aided by expert

Police said Lilly was found inside a Mothercare bag

A child murder expert has been brought in to help detectives investigate the death of a newborn girl whose body was left in a bag by a river.

Detectives made an appeal this week over the death of the baby they named Lilly, who was left by the River Alne near Stratford-upon-Avon.

She had a fractured skull and collarbone and police are treating her death as unlawful.

The expert has visited the scene where Lilly was found.

'Wealth of expertise'

Chuck Burton is a senior behavioural investigative advisor, from the National Centre for Policing Excellence.

Det Ch Insp Adrian Burton said he had a wealth of expertise in cases of this kind.

"He will look at all the component parts of Lilly's tragic death, and where she was found, in developing our picture of who Lilly was and why she came to lose her life.

"The database of child deaths he has will be a significant step towards locating Lilly's family."

Since the appeal, officers have spoken to 100 people who have contacted them.

A man, 44, and a 14-year-old girl have been questioned by police over the matter and eliminated from inquiries.

Posters appealing for help and information will be put up in Great Alne and Aston Cantlow as well as in GP surgeries, playgroups and nurseries.

Police released images of clothes found near the scene and asked relatives or friends of her mother to contact them.