Police investigate sexual abuse of corpses

SYDNEY, Feb 7 (Reuters) Australian police are investigating a report that bodies donated to a Sydney university for medical research were sexually abused and that coffins were filled with parts from multiple bodies.

A Sydney newspaper yesterday reported that University of New South Wales (NSW) documents showed that body parts had been interfered with sexually in the school of anatomy, which had its license to conduct anatomy classes revoked last November over improper labeling and storage of human remains.

The Sydney Morning Herald said university documents showed a staff member fondled breasts and vaginas of bodies and used the head of one body in a degrading way.

It also said body parts had not been placed in correct coffins, and coffins were filled with parts from multiple bodies.

''These are appalling and deeply concerning allegations. The matter has now been referred to police,'' NSW state Health Minister John Hatzistergos told reporters.

Reuters RL KP1108