Tasmanian Parliament Apologizes for Displaying Autopsy Specimens Without Consent

A formal apology has been given in Tasmanian parliament for the past practice of taking human specimens from autopsies and displaying them in a pathology museum without the knowledge or consent of family members.

Health Minister Bridget Archer delivered the apology with a number of affected family members present in parliament.

Family members are calling for further investigations into who knew what about the practice, and how it was able to continue for more than 25 years.

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.

"It's important to remember that these were not just body parts or specimens or human remains. They were people.

"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.

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.