A new book will celebrate 130 years of ground-breaking anatomical research at Dundee University.
To Bodies Gone charts the city university’s journey in the field from a fledgling institution to the establishment of the revered Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID).
World-renowned Dame Sue Black, former Anatomy Chair at Dundee University, will return to join a special panel at the free launch event on Friday.
Author Eddie Small, who works in public engagement at the university, said the study of anatomy was not always such a high-profile subject.
He said: “Anatomy was initially viewed as a precursor to teaching medicine at the university but over the decades the subject became an integral part of the institution.
“Today, CAHID has become a backbone of the British legal system. The skills developed here at Dundee are implemented from Caithness to Cornwall.
“When Professor Dame Sue Black introduced Forensic Anthropology as a subject, Dundee became the go-to destination for police to come to when they needed help and we introduced a special module for police staff to allow them to deal with incidents of mass fatalities.
“CAHID is known as a place of innovation, becoming the first UK University to work solely with Thiel cadavers, and the home of technology that recognises hands and forearms to secure the convictions of child abusers. That is why Dundee is so highly regarded throughout the judicial world.”
Anatomy was brought to University College Dundee, the precursor to Dundee University, in 1889.
Though regarded initially as a means of supporting courses such as medicine, the subject soon established itself as a core discipline.
Having always enjoyed a strong international reputation – welcoming students from the United States as far back as 1916 – the opening of the highly-specialised CAHID building in 2008 focused the spotlight further on the university.
“The work of CAHID is lauded around the world for many reasons,” added Eddie.
“There is huge interest in body donation, a subject that we have helped to promote the discussion of, as well as the people who work here.
“Myself and Professor Black have spoken in theatres about her career and these events have been sold out.
“There is an endless fascination about our work so to be able tell the full story of the history of Anatomy at the university is a huge privilege.”
Tickets to the free launch event, which will also feature former university Principal Sir Pete Downes, are available online.
It will take place at the Dalhousie Building on Old Hawkhill from 6pm.
