Legislative responsibilities

It is an offence against s236 (b) of the Criminal Code Act 1899, for a person to treat without dignity or improperly or indecently interfere with a dead human body or human remains.

The Griffith University School of Anatomy was established and operates in accordance with provisions in the Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1979. Section 37 of the Act makes provision for the establishment of a School of Anatomy where the study and practice of anatomy may be carried out in connection with a University or School of Medicine in such places as the Governor in Council thinks fit.

Cadavers and anatomical specimens used in the Griffith University School of Anatomy are obtained through a body bequest program utilising a valid and appropriate consent process or from a similarly licensed anatomy facility.

Access to the laboratory and its resources depends on an undertaking to abide by a Code of Conduct (PDF 26k) and the School of Anatomy Laboratory Rules (PDF 104k). There is a procedure in place for managing academic misconduct (PDF 51k) and protecting the privacy (PDF 37k) of donors.

Photographs on this page by Katie Mitchell, Griffith QLD College of Art, 2007.