A decomposed body was found underneath blankets and a television in a rundown flat.
Police were called after the grisly discovery was made at the property, known to be frequented by drug users.
But as well as the investigation into the death in the Dumbiedykes area of Edinburgh, police are also facing a probe.
The Daily Record understands officers were first called about the death in January but left when they called at the address and received no answer.
The body is so badly decomposed it wasn’t immediately apparent if it is a male or a female.
Efforts are being made to determine the sex before the identity of the corpse can be established.
The discovery was made after two men were locked inside the flat on Thursday and discovered the body in a room hidden under several blankets and a television.
A police source said: “The people locked in the flat were told not to look in the bedroom by whoever was locking them in, so naturally, curiosity got the better of them and they looked.
“The flat is known to drug addicts and it’s not uncommon for there to be only be one key among those sharing the flat.
“There is nothing to suggest the death is suspicious and there has been an effort to notify police but, on the whole, it appears the deceased has been forgotten about by both police and people in the house.”
A post mortem is expected to be carried out and efforts to identify the dead person are ongoing.
Police said: “Police in Edinburgh responded to an address in Dumbiedykes Road at around 7am on Friday, April 19, following a report of concern for the occupants.
“On arrival, officers found the body of a person within and this death is currently being treated as unexplained.
“Inquiries are ongoing and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
He added: “We can confirm a previous call was made to this address on January 30, 2019, and inquiries in relation to this matter are ongoing.”
