The Independent Police complaints Commission is to supervise an investigation into how the Metropolitan Police handled the early stages of the 'jigsaw man' case.

A missing persons report for Southgate man, Jeffery Howe, was filed with the Met on 16 March.

His left leg and foot were found by the side of a road in Hertfordshire, north of London, on March 22.

His lower left arm -- cut off at the elbow and wrist -- was found on March 29.

A farmer in Leicestershire, about 100 miles north, found the head two days later.

His right leg was found in Hertfordshire on April 7 and a rotting torso, complete with the right arm, was found on April 11.

Only Howe's hands remain missing.

Issues "warrant investigation"

The Directorate of Professional Standards will conduct the investigation into the Met's handling of the missing person reports.

IPCC Regional Director for London and south east, Derek Bradon said:

"The information we have available to us at this stage is that Mr Howe had died on or around 9 March, which was before he was actually reported missing. So whatever the police response, it seems they could not have prevented his death.

"Having said that, there are a number of issues in relation to the missing persons investigation that do warrant further attention, which is why we have decided to supervise the MPS’s own investigation."

A supervised investigation means that the IPCC approves the choice of investigating officer, agrees the terms of reference and the investigation plan, and monitors the progress of the investigation against the plan.

Operation Athena

100 officers were involved in Operation Athena – after the Greek goddess of wisdom and justice.

His flatmates, couple, Stephen Thomas Marshall, and Sarah Bush, 20, have been charged with murder.

Police believe he was killed by a stab wound to the back.