Apology for ‘appalling’ display of autopsy body parts without consent

The Tasmanian government has formally apologised for the practice of taking human specimens from post-mortem examinations without the knowledge or consent of families. 

The specimens were retained and exhibited by the RA Rodda Museum of Pathology in Hobart, on display by appointment for teaching purposes.

The practices continued from 1966 to 1991, and formally ceased in 1997.

A coroner’s investigation found that 177 specimens had been retained, of which about 100 were able to be identified.

Health Minister Bridget Archer delivered the parliamentary apology today for the failure to respect the dignity of the deceased and the rights of families, and for a breach of trust.

She described the practices as “appalling”, and apologised for the “enduring distress, anger, pain, grief and trauma” suffered by affected families and loved ones.

“Although these historical practices ended 35 years ago, the deep impact this has had on the families and loved ones of the deceased continues to this day,” Ms Archer told parliament.

“They were mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, brothers and sisters who were missed by their loved ones, and it’s no doubt the pain of losing them has been exacerbated by what occurred later.”

She read out the names of 23 people whose families had given consent for them to be identified during the speech.

‘Traumatic’ discovery for families

John Santi visits the grave of his brother, Tony, every fortnight.

Tony died in a motorcycle crash near Hobart in 1976, when he was aged 19.

John never knew that part of his brother was missing, until he saw his name listed in a newspaper that included those who may have had body parts taken during autopsy.

Part of Tony’s brain had been taken.

It was returned to John in a box, which sits on top of Tony’s grave.

“And the day I did that, reburied his brain with him, was just so traumatic and it still is.

“And then now, since his brain’s been back there, it still doesn’t feel right.”

He said he wanted someone to be held accountable for what had occurred.

Lynna Story’s father died by suicide in 1976, a traumatic time for her family.

She said it followed a series of failures by Tasmania’s mental health system, which ultimately left her family isolated.

Finding out that part of her father had been taken during the autopsy added to the grief.

“The government systems failed our father while he was alive and in death, and now with the taking of his body part,” Ms Story said.

Jack, who did not want to be identified, lost his mother about 45 years ago.

He attended the apology to find out if anyone would be held accountable.

“It’s just beyond comprehension how this could happen for over so many years and nobody supposedly knew,” Jack said.

It was a sentiment echoed by family members and loved ones who came to Tasmanian parliament for the apology.

In the apology, Ms Archer said the human organs and tissue were stolen by forensic and hospital pathologists employed by the Department of Health, without coronial knowledge.

“These actions occurred within a broader system of governance and oversight that at the time failed to prevent, identify or address these practices,” she said.

Cheryl Springfield’s brother had endured a traumatic childhood before his death in a car crash at age 14.

Part of his brain was also taken during an autopsy.

“It’s triggered the grief, we’re reliving the grief,” she said.

“It’s ridiculous what they’ve put us through.

“My parents aren’t alive now, and we have to be here for them.

Five individuals likely involved

Since the coroner’s investigation into the practices, the Department of Health has identified five individuals who were likely involved, in addition to forensic pathologist Dr Royal Cummings.

Of those five, two have since died, and none remain employees of the department.

The information has been provided to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further consideration.

A further four people were likely involved, but could not be identified “due to the inadequacy of record keeping at the time”, Ms Archer said in the apology.

Practice continued for more than 25 years

The RA Rodda Museum, a part of the University of Tasmania, contacted the Coroner’s Office in 2016 about the retention of human specimens.

The public was first made aware of the issue in April 2024, when the Coroner’s Office released a statement that said it was investigating the matter.

It then published a list of 126 names of adults and children who may have had their body parts retained, seeking contact with affected families in January 2025.

It was the first time that family members were aware that their loved ones had had a part of their body taken.

The coroner’s investigation stated that pathologists may have actively sourced specimens from autopsies to give to the museum.

To do so, they would have needed a burial warrant in consultation with the family, to then return the body parts afterwards for burial.

To release a body from the mortuary, and from the coroner’s control, also required consultation with family members.

These processes were not followed.

The practice continued for more than 25 years.