Leichenraub
Leichenraub, a German term translating to "corpse robbery," refers to the historical practice of illegally obtaining human remains, particularly from graves, for medical or anatomical study. This practice was prevalent in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, when demand for cadavers for dissection and anatomical research far exceeded the legal supply. Bodies were often procured through grave robbing, black-market trade, or even murder, as desperate anatomists and medical schools sought specimens to fulfill their educational and research needs.
The practice was driven by the rapid expansion of medical education and the growing emphasis on anatomical
Leichenraub was not limited to Europe; similar practices occurred in other parts of the world, including the
Today, Leichenraub is widely condemned as unethical and illegal. It serves as a historical reminder of the