Detectives are now able to confirm that the body, which was found on Thursday (June 6) on Corstorphine Hill by a passer-by, belongs to a female.
They are also able to say that, contrary to earlier speculation, the remains are not those of Suzanne Pilley, who went missing from her Edinburgh home two years ago.
Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie, of the Major Investigation Team, who is leading the inquiry, said: “Good progress was made over the weekend with a lot of support from a wide variety of specialists.
“The remains have been fully excavated and the detailed examination of the site will continue over the next few days. Our focus is now on trying to identify the victim and then determine the circumstances surrounding her death.”
If you have any information regarding this incident then please call 101, or report to your local police station.
