For more than a decade, Baltimore County Police have been trying to solve the mystery behind a set of skeletal remains found in the Upperco area in 1996.

Wednesday, investigators released a facial reconstruction of what they believe the dead woman might have looked like.

Forensic artist Detective Evelyn Grant said she created a clay model using the skull of the woman, whose body was recovered in the 17800 block of Falls Road, south of Gunpowder Road.

“I used the skull as a guide,” she said. “It’s not an exact portrait. It’s an educated guess based on science. Hopefully, it looks pretty close to her.”

Workers discovered human remains on March 5, 1996, and forensic experts determined the body had been in the woods for five years or more. Her cause of death has been undetermined.

Previously, the police department used computer-enhanced images to develop a photograph of what the deceased woman might have looked like, but police hope the new, reconstructed model will help identify the woman.

The victim is described as a black female, between 17 and 19 years old, and between 5 feet 1 and 5-4. She had a small blemish on the right side of her skull that might have been a hereditary trait, or caused by surgery or an accident, police said.

When discovered, she was wearing a blouse that appeared to have originally been light in color with slightly darker faint pinstripes. The pinstripes had four lines per bar, police said.

The blouse, which was a cotton blend, had a collar, pocket, cuffs, and pearl-colored buttons. She was also wearing a leather or vinyl jacket with a zip-up front and gathered waistband.

She had on Flippo Totti brand pants with a web-type belt and ankle zippers, high-top MIA brand athletic shoes with a Velcro strap across the ankle and no shoelaces, and gold hoop earrings for pierced ears with a small gold ball mounted on the bottom of the hoop, according to police.

A label found at the scene had “It’s a Label Made in the U.S.A.” printed on it. Another label believed to be from the deceased’s blouse or jacket had “Size 9/10” printed on it.

Anyone with information about the identity of the victim, or circumstances of her death is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP .

To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to “CRIMES” (274637), then enter the message starting with “MCS.” Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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