An Irish hospital has launched an investigation after a jar containing a human organ was discovered lying on a roof.
It is believed the container was spotted by staff at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital in Belfast as early as May last year.
However, the specimen, which would have been used for teaching purposes, was not retrieved until December 8.
Although the Royal says the specimen was removed immediately, a member of staff said she believed management were formally notified several months earlier.
"During that time the container was clearly visible to anyone walking on the top floor of the maternity hospital," she claimed.
"No one knew exactly what it was, but it was obvious it was some kind of human organ. It's hard to understand how it could have ended up lying on the roof of a hospital," she said.
A hospital spokeswoman said: "We can confirm an old surgical teaching specimen has been retrieved from the roof of the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital.
"It is unclear how this specimen came to be there and investigations are continuing."