Human remains found near the Grand River in Brantford appear to have been there for “a long time,” city police say.

The remains were discovered Monday evening, by a person walking near the river in the area of Fordview Court, on the west side of the river in the area of Colborne and Gilkison streets.

Police were contacted, and detectives cordoned off the area.

A specialized forensics team was called in from Toronto to aid the case.

Police say it’s not clear how or when the body wound up at the river, while decomposition makes it difficult to determine whether it is male or female.

“Even the clothing isn’t enough to give us a description of whether it’s male or female,” Insp. Dave Wiedrick told CTV News.

“The body has been there, it appears, for almost a year.”

The body appears to be that of an adult, Wiedrick said. It is expected to undergo an autopsy in Toronto later this week.

Police say they have no active missing persons cases in Brantford, and are following up with police agencies in other jurisdictions about people reported missing in those areas.

Foul play is not suspected in connection with the person’s death.