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Are Jimmy Hoffa's Bones In Roseville Backyard? Answer Tuesday

ROSEVILLE (AP/WWJ) — The first steps in determining whether soil holds the remains of missing Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa are fairly simple: Are there any bones in the dirt?

Scientists at Michigan State University are examining soil Monday removed from a home in Roseville near Detroit.

While some were waiting for immediate results, Roseville Police Chief James Berlin dropped some bad news Monday -- the results won't come back until Tuesday.

"I know everyone is awaiting word on the results of the soil samples removed from the Florida Street home Friday," Berlin wrote in an email. "Michigan State University has the samples and has begun the testing; unfortunately I have just been informed that the results of those tests will not be available until early tomorrow morning."

So what does the test entail? David Foran, head of the school's forensic science program, says the dirt typically is screened for signs of bone fragments. He says it can be done with the naked eye and a microscope.

Hoffa Dig (Mike Campbell)
R) Dominic Mordell at the scene in Roseville.

Foran says there's nothing unusual about the job, only the name, Hoffa. Acting on a tip, authorities drilled through concrete Friday and removed soil inside a shed next to a home.

Hoffa was last seen in 1975 outside a restaurant in Oakland County, more than 30 miles to the west.

When the media leaked word last week that a hunt for remains was happening under a Roseville driveway after a tipstert told police he saw men suspiciously moving black bags around there the night of Hoffa's disappearance -- the street turned into a block party.

Dozens of neighbors and media members lined the street Friday while the soil sample was taken.

((TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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