Dentists across the country will be asked if they can recognise their handiwork to be help identify the mystery woman found murdered last week.

A specialist dentist has examined the woman's teeth and believes they could hold vital clues to discovering her identity.

A man walking his dog found the victim's body on fire in woods in Hedsor Lane, Wooburn Common.

A post-mortem revealed that although the victim had died from repeated blows to her head which had distorted her face her teeth had still been left intact.

Detailed descriptions and images of the woman's teeth will be published in the British Dental Journal in case any of them recognise their former patient.

"The woman had a white crown and the dental work was of good quality," said Detective Superintendent Andy Taylor.

He continued: "The ontologist said there was a fair bit of work there but the rest of her teeth were well looked after. I will circulate these through the dental journals and see if anyone recognises their own work."

The victim was five feet four-and-a-half inches tall, with shoulder length brown or henna coloured hair, which was either wavy or permed. She had light brown eyes and a tattoo of a rearing Pegasus on her upper right arm.

She was also wearing a snake shaped yellow metal ring on her middle finger.

Det Supt Taylor said: "There are no hallmarks on it and it was worn on her middle finger so we don't think it was an engagement ring, but it has a distinctive snake-like pattern."

Due to the severe burning, police are unable to tell whether she was of white or olive complexion. She may have even been Eastern European.

Detectives think she may have been killed elsewhere and brought to the woods to get rid of the evidence.

They are interested in speaking to anyone who may have seen a dark-coloured van in the area between Thursday and Saturday.

* Anyone with any information about a missing person who matches this description, or with any information about this case, should contact police on 08458 505 505 or call 0800 555 111.

Fibre analysis

FORENSIC investigators have returned in force to the woods where the body was found six days ago.

They are combing the woodland for any clues which could help them identify the murderer or the victim, such as cloth or carpet fibres, skin cells or animal hairs. The samples they collect will then be sent away for testing.

Detective Superintendent Andy Taylor, said: "The forensics team will be trying to identify the type of accelerant used, whether it was petrol or white spirit or some other flammable liquid."

Once they have identified the type of burning agent used, police will return to the garages and petrol stations see if they can trace it.

Scientists are also carrying out fibre-level analysis of the victim's clothing.