A SENIOR Southampton officer who is leading the search for a mother and her newborn baby after a suspected human placenta was found said tests will prove within 24 hours what the remains definitely are.

Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy, the second-most senior neighbourhoods policing officer in Southampton, said they were still 'considering several possible scenarios' following the discovery in a path along Holly Brook off Dale Road, Shirley, on Wednesday morning.

But he added their 'number one' priority is making sure that if a mother and baby are out there, they are found safe and well.

READ MORE: Search continues after human afterbirth found

When asked if the baby might have come to harm, CI Kennedy said: "There might be a child out there who's being beautifully looked after by its mother - but really that is what the NHS is there for."

CI Kennedy also shared more details about how the investigation came about.

When asked why there was a delay between the discovery of the remains on Wednesday morning and going public with an appeal on Thursday afternoon, he explained: "On Wednesday, two members of the public located what they thought was an odd situation in that they found something that looked like 'organs', as they described it.

"So officers were deployed, seized said item, and then we've gone through a forensic process of speaking to a medical practitioner for advice.

"That process obviously takes a period of time to do.

"Once they saw it, the practitioner quite quickly said they suspect it could be a human placenta.

"So we sent it off for further DNA examinations to try to determine if it 100 per cent, categorically is a human placenta, and we will know in the next 24 hours.

"Once the medical expert told us they believe it to be human, we've put a scene in place where it was found and done an appeal to ask if there is anybody out there with a child that potentially needs our help."

Daily Echo:

Despite the police's appeal on Thursday afternoon being widely shared, CI Kennedy said they still do not have a description of the mother.

Reiterating his plea to the woman, he said: "If you are in distress or are worried, we can look after you.

"By all means ring 111, the NHS helpline, if you need urgent medical support."

Chief Inspector Kennedy confirmed it was 'most definitely not' a criminal investigation at this stage.

He said: "This is all about early enquiries and getting that potential mother assistance and emotional support, that we know is really key after giving birth.

"It's a priority to make sure the mother and child is well looked after.

"I'll emphasise, this is about suspicion at the moment; we suspect this is a human placenta and with medical advice we will know for sure."

READ MORE: Human placenta found in Southampton: What we know so far

The Echo asked Chief Inspector Kennedy if they thought the mum could have come from Southampton General Hospital, which is close to where the remains were found.

He said: "Straight away, officers made enquiries with the hospital to make sure all potential mothers in that location were accounted for with their children, and that has all been clarified.

"It could be a coincidence that this happened near the hospital, or it could be someone who was on their way to the hospital for medical assistance. All options are open."

CI Kennedy added that 'he hoped to be proven wrong' about it being a human placenta, 'but we have to do the right thing', referring to the large-scale search operation.

Since Thursday, groups of dog handlers, sniffer dogs and search and rescue teams have been out in force in and around Shirley to try to find further evidence of a woman and a baby.

Residents in the usually quiet area of the city have spoken of their shock.

One woman asked if they had found anyone yet, and added: "This is quite concerning; I hope the police find her and that she is okay."

Assuming it was human remains, another woman added: "How sad it is that she had nowhere to go but give birth in the woods. It's terrible. We all really hope that she and the baby are okay and safe."