A MYSTERIOUS cold case which left police puzzled has prompted yet another appeal to identify the body of a man found in the woods more than a decade ago.

The unknown male was discovered by a nature photographer in the Balmore Woods, near Glasgow, in October 2011, however, it’s understood his death would’ve taken places months prior.

Despite numerous attempts by police to discover his identity, it remains a mystery.

In 2013, officers called in expert Professor Sue Black who deployed a team to Glasgow in a bid to uncover the truth behind the grim find.

It’s a case which has stayed with her throughout the years.

“There are two types of cases that, I think, stay with all of us - when you know someone is dead and can’t find a body, and when you have a body but can’t identify the person,” she said.

“You want that closure and you want to give it to the families. Surely, someone somewhere is missing him.

READ MORE: Mystery as young man body found in the woods...FOUR years on and no one knows who he is

“You come into this world with a name and you should be able to go out with one. It niggles at your throughout your whole career.”

Prof Black made startling discoveries when she examined the body in 2013 which showed the man had recently healed fractures, including to his head, which had occurred sometime in the year before his death.

However, the most significant discovery, showed an “excruciatingly painful” broken jaw which had not received any medical attention – causing the individual to have been in agony every time he ate.

She said: “You have to ask if you have that kind of injury why not go and get it seen to?

“Why not go to your GP? Maybe he didn’t have one because he was sleeping rough.

“Why not go to A&E? Perhaps because someone would ask questions. We don’t know, but we know he chose not to get it seen to and it would have been massively impactful on his ability to eat and sleep.”

A lack of other injuries prompted the forensic anthropologist surmised it may all have stemmed from one incident, perhaps an assault, in the 12 months leading up to his death.

The man, who took his own life, is thought to have been 20 to 35-years-old at the time of his death, around 5ft 8in tall and had light brown hair.

He was found wearing a light-blue polo Topshop polo shirt, blue jeans and a navy blue zipper jumper.

The jumper featured a knitted band around the collar as well as a Greek Pennsylvania motif. He was also wearing navy and black trainers with the word “waterproof written on the sole.

Prof Black said: “I live in hope.

READ MORE: Facial reconstruction two years after man found dead

“For someone to miss you, they have to know that you’re missing.

“There are lots of reasons why connections breakdown and the last thing we want to do is bring a family bad news but it’s honesty and closure.”

Police Scotland confirmed the man remained unidentified and encouraged anyone with information to get in touch on 101.

Do you know him? Email Maxine.McArthur@newsquest.co.uk