The remains of a woman have been discovered near Lake Berryessa, and investigators are trying to find out who she is.

Most likely, a blend of forensic science, forensic art and gumshoe detective work will result in the identification of the bones — estimated to have been there between six months to a year — discovered near Monticello Dam last month.

Chris Carlisle of the Napa County Sheriff’s Department is the lead detective on the case. He said the victim is known only as Jane Doe, is African-American and between the ages of 35 to 50. She is between 5-feet 5-inches to 5-feet 6-inches tall.

He said she had short, light-colored hair with a black color hair weave. Found with the remains was a stud for either a lip or nose piercing. Also recovered were acrylic fingernails, which Carlisle said should be good for obtaining DNA.

“DNA will play a big part in this case,” Carlisle sad. With advances in investigative DNA work, he expects to break more cold cases. The detective is actively working on two others, one from 18 years ago and another that goes back at least 10 years.

The Napa County Sheriff’s Department has not revealed how the victim died, but they believe the woman is a homicide victim based on the autopsy.

Carlisle said he could not reveal if the victim was beaten, stabbed or shot because it could compromise the investigation.

On May 9, Napa County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Bartlett discovered the human remains along Highway 128 near Monticello Dam.

The crime scene was processed the next day, Sheriff’s Capt. Jean Donaldson said.

The victim’s remains were near the side of the road, and investigators have concluded she was dumped there. Over time, the remains, originally hidden by brush, became visible and Bartlett spotted the bones, according to Donaldson.

The remains were sent to a forensic anthropologist in Chico. The skull was given to forensic artist Gloria Nusse on June 4, after she met with Carlisle. Nusse will make a clay mold of the skull and recreate what she thinks the victim looked like.

“It’s all based on averages,” Nusse said. From the mold she will add markers showing how thick the skin should be and she also adds muscle.

Donaldson said dental records are a good way to identify a person, but that dental records have only helped about 5 percent of cases involving unknown victims.

No Northern California missing person reports are believed to be related to this case, according to Donaldson.

Forensic reconstruction

The key to unlocking the mystery of the missing person could rest in the artistic hands of Nusse.

Nusse said it will take her 40 to 50 hours in her Mill Valley studio to recreate what she thinks the victim looked like.

Nusse described each skull as being unique as a snow flake. No two are the same. It is the structure of the bones in the skull that make us different from each other, she added.

For example, by studying the nasal cavity, Nusse gets an idea for how small or large the nose might have been. Cheek bones, ears and forehead all are pieces of the puzzle. But there are limits. For example, she sad, she won’t be able to determine if the person had a scar on her cheek.

“It is all very scientific. It is not guess work,” Nusse said, who also has a master’s degree in physiological anthropology. “It’s like a puzzle. I take all the bits and pieces and put it all together. The Europeans are probably more accurate by calling this facial approximation,” she added.

Nusse will have constructed a face of the victim that may trigger recognition from members of the public.

She has about a 50 percent success rate in facial identifications, she said. This is her second case in Napa County; the previous case remains unsolved.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Det. Carlisle at 253-6030, use the tip line at  877-426-4847 or send an e-mail to sherifftipline@co.napa.ca.us.