Police investigate if woman found dead in north Melbourne was followed off tram

A woman found dead in Melbourne's north had been assaulted, say police investigating whether she was followed off a tram.

Police believe the woman was assaulted before she was murdered in Bundoora, Melbourne. Source: AAP

A woman found dead in Melbourne's north was just metres from where she alighted a tram, with police investigating if she was followed and assaulted.

Her body was found in scrub near a Bundoora shopping centre on Wednesday morning by passers-by and a homicide detective later said it was likely the woman had travelled on the route 86 tram from Docklands overnight.

Police forensics examine the scene where a woman's body was found Wednesday morning. Source: AAP

"We are treating it as suspicious. It's apparent or it seems that the woman has been assaulted," Inspector Andrew Stamper told reporters near the scene.

The woman is yet to be identified and police have launched an appeal for information.

"We'd like anyone who may have been travelling on the number 86 tram which runs from the city to Bundoora, particularly from the times between 11pm and 1am this morning to (make contact)," Insp Stamper added.

Police plan to step up patrols of the area.