Murdejooni

Murdejooni is a term of Persian origin that literally translates to "dead body thief" or "body snatcher." Historically, it referred to individuals who engaged in the illicit exhumation of corpses. The primary motivations for this practice varied. In some instances, it was driven by medical or scientific curiosity, with bodies being stolen for anatomical study in the absence of legal avenues for dissection. In other, more grim scenarios, the motive could be financial, with bodies sold to medical schools or private collectors.

The practice was often associated with a lack of proper burial regulations and a societal need for anatomical knowledge, particularly during periods when formal medical education was developing. The act of murdejooni was highly taboo and illegal in most societies, leading to severe penalties for those caught. It reflected a tension between societal respect for the dead and the burgeoning demands of medical science. While the term itself is rooted in historical context, the concept of unauthorized access to human remains has continued to be a concern in various forms throughout history and into the modern era. The fear and moral implications surrounding murdejooni contributed to the development of more regulated practices surrounding death, burial, and medical research.