JAMAICAN detectives are hoping that by early next week, they can solve the mystery of whether or not the burnt body found in a canefield in Montego Bay is that of Michelle Coudray.

Michelle is the daughter of San Fernando Mayor Marlene Coudray, who is also a deputy political leader of the United National Congress.

Deputy Supt of the Jamaican Constabulary Communication Network, Steve Brown, told the Express yesterday the body found at Barnett Estate will undergo forensic testing either on next Monday or Tuesday.

Coudray, who has been in Jamaica since Thursday, has handed over dental records and given a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) sample to determine if it is her daughter.

Brown said the tests will be carried out in Jamaica, possibly at the Government's Forensic Laboratory in Kingston.

Coudray spent the day yesterday with police officers and was also in contact with several of her daughter's friends, the Express was told.

Coudray was told she would only be able to take her daughter's body back home when a DNA and dental match were both positive.

Coudray said she was hoping this could be done as early as Monday.

Brown said the taxi-driver, in whose car Michelle was last seen entering on June 2, remains in police custody as a "person of interest".

The taxi-driver, a father of two, is assisting police in the probe into the disappearance and possible death of Michelle.

The Express was told the taxi-driver was a close friend of the missing school teacher. He is the only one detained by police for the last six days, although other persons have been interviewed by police.

Brown said, however, that Michelle Coudray's case remains a "missing persons investigation", until evidence is found to prove otherwise.

Asked if other persons have come forward to report anyone missing fitting the description of the body found, Brown said, "There are a number of persons missing in Jamaica. We have other missing persons cases that we are working on, but it is even more difficult to determine if that body is theirs since we do not know the sex of the body found in the canefield."

Michelle Coudray, a mother of three, travelled to Jamaica on May 30 where she had lived and worked for much of the last ten years. She had rented an apartment at Cornwall Courts near Montego Bay, and was expected to take up a teaching position in September at Cornwall College.

The Jamaican police are treating the case as "high-profile".

Marlene Coudray did not immediately respond to calls to her cellphone yesterday.