Brisbane remains could be 1980s homicide

Forensic officers are working to confirm whether remains at a property in Brisbane's north are those of a man who disappeared 30 years ago.

The bones were found in a disused plumbing pit at a property at Brighton on Tuesday and police say they've now recovered 99 per cent of the man's skeleton.

Acting Superintendent Mick O'Dowd said detectives were scouring missing person files in the area as far back as the mid-1980s.

The remains will be analysed at the John Tonge Centre in Brisbane but Supt O'Dowd admits it could be months before the victim is identified.

Police believe the body was dumped by someone who knew the area well and where the pit was located.