Sheriff: Help ID Homicide Victim

authorities are hoping someone can help identify skeletal remains .

In his first such experience, Sheriff Clark Millsap today of the facial features of the Hispanic man authorities believe was the victim of homicide.

While they can't say when the victim died, Millsap said the man was lying in the woods "for a while." He is believed to be between 18 and 40 years old and between 5 feet, 3 inches and 5 feet, 9 inches tall.

The victim was , once in the back of the head and once in the mid torso, Millsap added. Investigators believe a .22-caliber weapon was used and found shell casings near the remains.

The skeleton was found in a wood line near a clearing about 200 yards from Paga Mine Road in Cartersville and near Emerson. Millsap added the area in the past served as a dumping ground for trash and other items, but has been cleaned up to some extent.

Along with the skull, portions of the rib cage, and some arm and leg bones, authorities found what they believe to be the man's boxer shorts and one white sock.

Millsap said technicians likely could identify the victim using dental records or DNA, but investigators need a "starting point."

To provide information, contact the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 770-606-8477 (TIPS).