The badly-decomposed remains of a woman found early Sunday afternoon in a patch of woods in Egg Harbor Township are under intense scrutiny as investigators try to determine her identity. It's being pursued as a homicide case.

Tattoo on the foot of woman found in a suitcase behind a mall in Egg Harbor Township
Tattoo on the foot of woman found in a suitcase behind a mall in Egg Harbor Township (Atlantic County Prosecutors Office)
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According to information from the office of acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain, a hunter who's also a police officer stumbled across the body parts around 1:30 PM Sunday in a cluster of trees behind the Shore Mall near Broadway Avenue.

An autopsy is being performed by the New Jersey Medical Examiner's Office. However, said McClain, the advanced decomposition prompted them to enlist the aid of a state medical anthropologist.

So far, authorities have been able to determine only the victim's gender. Age and race have yet to be established. They have reportedly identified several tattoos. Investigators said that they are considering releasing images of the body art in an effort to identify the victim.

Anyone who is aware of any recent suspicious activity in the vicinity should call the Atlantic County Major Crimes Unit, 609-909-7666.

McClain's office also maintains a confidential tip portal at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html.

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