THIS is the first picture of the suitcase which became a woman's tomb.

Detectives probing the murder mystery showed the photograph today at a press conference in York.

They also revealed that it may originate from South Korea.

The officer leading the inquiry believes it is possible that the woman found inside it could be from that country.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Ankers said: "Despite our initial efforts, the identity of the dead woman remains a mystery and we have no further information regarding her.

"I would like to emphasise that we have not established her ethnic origin, although as we have said she appears to be of Asian or Oriental origin."

When asked if it was known whether the woman was dead before she was put in the suitcase, Det Chief Insp Ankers said tests were still being conducted to establish how she died.

There are 20 to 25 detectives working on the inquiry.

The body of the woman was found bound and gagged inside the suitcase after a member of the public discovered the case in a hedgerow next to a lane between the villages of Askham Richard and Bilbrough on Sunday.

The suitcase, which is currently being examined by a forensic team, bore a brand marking with the name Genova and the letters ABS and the number 4934615. The label bears Oriental-type script which detectives are still trying to identify, but they believe the case may originate from South Korea.

DCI Ankers appealed to anyone who owns such a case to contact the police to say how and where they acquired it.

He said he was still anxious to establish how long the suitcase had been lying at the bottom of the hedgerow and he appealed to nearby villagers to keep coming forward with information.

He said: "I would like to stress that this is an horrendous crime. I don't think anybody deserves to end their life as an anonymous body stuffed in a suitcase and dumped in a hedgerow."

It was also revealed that the clasps on the hard plastic silver-grey suitcase appeared to be damaged and detectives had had to force it open when it was examined at the mortuary at York District Hospital. The woman found inside was 4ft 11in tall and slender, with shoulder-length dark hair. She weighed about 45 kilograms.

Investigating officers have been liaising with forces across the country and trawling missing person reports. DCI Ankers said they would still welcome any calls or suggestions from members of the public.

Officers have also examined a car which was abandoned near to the scene, although it is not known if this is connected to the discovery.

Anyone who can help the investigation should call the incident room on 01904 618618.

Updated: 14:27 Thursday, November 22, 2001