A DISTINCTIVE type of sticky tape was used to bind and gag the woman in the York body-in-a-suitcase mystery, it was revealed today.

Detectives investigating the gruesome find in a country lane near Askham Richard said their inquiries had also revealed that the suitcase in which the body was found is sold only in South Korea, where it was made, apart from a small number which are sold in Lebanon.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Ankers, who is leading the investigation, said the possibility that the woman came from South Korea could still not be ruled out.

Pathology tests have so far only revealed that the woman is of Asian or Oriental origin and aged between 20 and 40 years.

The two-inch wide adhesive tape used to bind and gag the woman shows multi-coloured designs of faces by London-based artists Gilbert & George.

The tape is only available in the country's four Tate Galleries - two in London, one in Liverpool and one in St Ives, Cornwall.

Detective Inspector Jon Reed, the deputy senior investigating officer, said inquiries had shown that only 2,000 rolls of the tape were produced from November last year and fewer than 1,500 of them have been sold. The product has now been withdrawn because of the investigation.

He said: "Again we are turning to the public for help. One of those 1,500 rolls is critical to this investigation and would appeal to anyone who is or was in possession of a roll of this tape or who knows the whereabouts of this tape to contact us."

DCI Ankers said officers had spoken to the manufacturer of the suitcase which was based in Seoul, in South Korea, and discovered that it was not an export model and that there was no regular outlet for it in the UK.

He added that the suitcase remained critical to the investigation and appealed for anyone who recognised it to come forward.

He said: "The most important issue remains that we still have no idea as to the identity of the dead woman."

He said the inquiry team was currently shifting through about 50 names of missing people from other police forces and members of the public.

The earliest that the suitcase was seen at the roadside was on or about November 2 this year.

A mobile police station will be in the area this week in an effort to get more information. It will be in Askham Richard from tomorrow, Bilbrough on Wednesday and Askham Bryan on Friday, between 10am and 8pm each day.

Anyone with information should contact the inquiry team on 01904 618618.

Updated: 14:46 Monday, November 26, 2001