The retention of human body parts without consent for display at the R A Rodda Museum of Pathology has drawn public outrage after a coroner’s report revealed disturbing practices in Tasmania’s past. Sadly, Alby Santi’s daughter, Amy, died in 1984 at the Royal Hobart Hospital. She joined the ranks of thousands of victims of this predatory practice. In 2018, Coroner Simon Cooper issued an explosive report. Most importantly, it confirmed that someone removed a specimen from Amy’s body without consent from her family. This shocking discovery has forced Alby to come to terms with a dark period of his family’s history.
It took Alby a few days to process the shocking new details found in Cooper’s report. Our ongoing inquiry about specimen retention, which began in 2016, showed that Tasmanian pathologists, from 1966 to 1991, could have intentionally procured body parts from coronial autopsies without family consent. This laudable practice, though, has not happened in decades.
Coroner Cooper’s Findings
Coroner Simon Cooper’s conclusions were that systemic failures led to the tragedy. His diligent investigation resulted in the removal of 177 specimens from public display at the university museum. Alby said she was shocked by how deep the problem runs. He stressed that it underscores the campaign’s deeply suspect legacy of body retention practices.
“It’s just again all these … reminders of what’s gone on, so it’s quite disturbing to see the extent of this.” – Alby
The report highlighted that about 100 of the 177 specimens could be identified and handled according to families’ wishes. While Cooper couldn’t keep the unrecognizable specimens, she didn’t throw them away. He did this while fully complying with applicable laws and conducting a fair and impartial process.
Cooper remarked on the systemic issues, stating, “It is apparent that following the Walker Inquiry, the relevant minister and department were made aware of the practice in Tasmania, but no action was taken. I observe that inaction included not advising the Coronial Division of the practice.”
Impact on Families
It’s a discovery that has rocked families like Alby’s to their core, and they, like others hundreds of families affected, are still dealing with the emotional aftermath. Graeme Zosky felt similarly to Alby. He apologized profusely to families who grieved only to learn that pieces of their relatives had been kept without permission. He stated that he is “deeply sorry for the sadness and hurt felt by family members.”
For people like Alby, who are living directly in its path, the pain has only just began. Like Alby’s friend, Mr. Santi, many people felt this injustice deeply and were upset by discriminatory practices like this one. He took this opportunity to underline his view that what occurred is nothing short of theft.
“To me, it’s stealing of body parts and justice has to be served.” – Mr. Santi
Families assume so much emotional burden. As you might imagine, most of them are pretty thirsty for recognition and redress for these historical wrongs.
Changes and Reassurances
As a response to these discoveries, federal and state authorities have promised that such practices will no longer be accepted. Graeme Zosky, USFWS Hippos In The Hood assured us that this historic practice doesn’t happen anymore — at least not for the past several decades.
The undisputed star of Cooper’s report was one Dr. Royal Cummings, a now-deceased forensic pathologist who was a major influence. He provided the largest percentage of coronial specimens to the museum. He noted it profusely when he stated the holding of human remains without family or coronial consent is archaic. He considers it contrary to modern standards and morals to practice this kind of offensive tropes.
“It is inconceivable to my mind that it would ever happen again,” Cooper stated. “Although the fact that the practice continued for as long as it did and ended only comparatively recently is also almost equally inconceivable.”
Their investigation has shed light and opened a completely unexpected, but pernicious, chapter in Tasmania’s medical history. Yet it has spurred movement toward much-needed reform. Families such as Alby’s are still processing their grief and anger. Accountability begins with accepting that our nation failed to uphold its promises and officials taking action to ensure these transgressions don’t occur again.
