The Tasmanian government has apologized over a decades-old scandal involving human body parts taken during autopsies and kept without the consent of families, the BBC reported.
An investigation released last year found that between 1966 and 1991, 177 human specimens collected during coronial autopsies were transferred to a university museum without approval from relatives or coroners. Some of the specimens were later displayed at the University of Tasmania’s RA Rodda Pathology Museum.
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Tasmania’s health minister Bridget Archer apologized to affected families for the «distress, anger, pain, grief and trauma» caused by the practices.
The investigation found that former forensic pathologist Dr. Royal Cummings provided most of the specimens to the museum, although other pathologists may also have been involved in the practice.
The University of Tasmania also issued an apology, acknowledging the harm caused to families. The 177 specimens investigated were removed from display in 2018.
The RA Rodda Pathology Museum was established in 1966 to support medical teaching and research.
