Investigators say a tattoo on chunks of flesh discovered in a suburban Detroit sewer was inked at least 15 to 20 years ago.

Sterling Heights Police Lt. Luke Riley told Local 4 that the 10 body parts found Aug. 15 by contractors who were clearing debris from a pipe in Sterling Heights belonged to a Caucasian, but they are not sure if it was male or female.

Riley said the tattoo is starting to blur, and it's unclear where it might have appeared on the person's body.

Investigators say they don't believe the parts had been in the sewer very long based on their condition.

Authorities have been going over missing persons reports and making other attempts to identify the victim.

Body parts found in Sterling Heights sewer

Published On: Aug 15 2012 03:58:17 PM EDT

Parts appear to be skin fragments with tattoo

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Sterling Heights Police Lt. Luke Riley describes the parts as a dozen "small pieces." Contractors found them after shutting off two sewer lines Wednesday morning to drain water from the pipe so they could perform repairs.