WA Police have revealed Tuesday's activity in the investigation of the disappearance of Julie Cutler was prompted by the realisation a purse found in 1996 may have belonged to the missing woman.

Forensic officers are combing the sand dunes on Cottesloe Beach looking for clues to solve the 1988 disappearance of Ms Cutler.

Detectives are searching for items that may belong to Ms Cutler after a review this year determined the purse, a day-to-day diary and other items found in 1996 might be hers.

“As a result of our investigation some items that were dismissed in 1997 as not being Julie’s, we found they may possibly be Julie’s,” Det-Sgt Gailene Hamilton said.

Camera Icon Julie Cutler vanished in June 1988 after leaving a staff party at the Parmelia Hilton. Credit: supplied

“As a result of that and the location of where those items were found, we’re searching the dunes here at Cottesloe known as Dutch Inn to see if there’s any other items that may relate to Julie’s disappearance.”

She admitted the items had been destroyed in 1997 after they were determined to not be Ms Cutler’s nor linked to any other case.

Play Video Cold Case Homicide Squad have today commenced a search of sand dunes in Cottesloe as part of ongoing investigations into the 1988 disappearance of then 22-year-old Julie Cutler. The West Australian Video Cold Case Homicide Squad have today commenced a search of sand dunes in Cottesloe as part of ongoing investigations into the 1988 disappearance of then 22-year-old Julie Cutler.

But photographs of the items were kept in the case file and as part of the review, were shown to other people who knew her who had not been asked at the time.

Det-Sgt Hamilton said forensic tests could not be done because the items were destroyed.

Det-Sgt Hamilton said there would be “slight excavation” of the dunes today using shovels and that sand would be shifted through.

Ms Cutler vanished in June 1988 after leaving a staff party at the Parmelia Hilton.

Camera Icon Forensic police conducting a search of sand dunes in Cottesloe today as part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Julie Cutler Credit: Ian Munro

Her unoccupied car was found overturned 50m off Cottesloe beach two days later. Her body has never been found.

She said there had been calls to police since the $250,000 reward was announced in June and the information had been helpful.

She hoped today’s search and the reward would prompt other people to come forward with information.

“That’s definitely a hope of ours and a hope of the family as well,” she said.

“Things change over time, it’s been 30 years since Julie disappeared and there is someone out there who does know what happened to Julie.

“We’re hopeful if people do know things they need to contact police.”