Dozens of body parts and specimens were buried in a mass grave by officials of Abu Kabir Forensic Institute without consulting with family members or obtaining permission for the move.

YWN-ISRAEL reported a number of months ago that over 8,000 body parts and specimens were found in the forensic institute, samples that were kept by Chief Pathologist Prof. Yehuda Hiss without consulting with family members.

After Health Ministry officials learned of the body parts, efforts began to begin identifying them but it was quickly realized that some of the labels were faded and identifying the body parts would not be an easy task.

As such, the decision was made to only return items sought after by families. To date, about 1,000 requests were received from members of families of the deceased. Other parts have been buried in a mass grave and ministry officials’ now state identification of those parts is no longer possible or warranted.

Some families however are unwilling to just let this matter be swept under the carpet, insisting measures should have been taken to ensure remains can be identified.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)