Open AccessOrigin of corpses received by the anatomical institute at the University of Jena during the Nazi regime
Author(s) -
Redies Christoph,
Viebig Michael,
Zimmermann Susanne,
Fröber Rosemarie
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
the anatomical record part b: the new anatomist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1552-4914
pISSN - 1552-4906
DOI - 10.1002/ar.b.20068
Subject(s) - nazism , context (archaeology) , state (computer science) , nazi germany , law , medicine , political science , history , archaeology , politics , computer science , algorithm
During the Nazi regime (1933–1945), the anatomical institute at the University of Jena received 2,224 corpses, of which approximately 200 originated from executions. The available data clearly suggest that a large portion of these 200 executed persons must be considered victims of Nazi crimes. Approximately an equal number of bodies were delivered from state nursing homes and mental institutions in the state of Thuringia during the same time period. The available data suggest that it is highly likely that many of them were victims of decentralized “euthanasia” programs. The remains of many prisoners of nearby labor camps, mostly from Eastern Europe, are listed in the body register at the institute as well. A group of anatomists and historians has investigated the institute's association with Nazi crimes. Apart from documenting the association, the aim of the investigation is to clarify the whereabouts of the corpses. In particular, it must be ascertained that none of the specimens publicly displayed in the anatomical collection of the Friedrich Schiller University originated in the context of Nazi crimes. Anat Rec (Part B: New Anat) 285B:6–10, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.