BODY SNATCHER Meaning and
Definition
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A body snatcher, also referred to as a resurrectionist or grave robber, is an individual who clandestinely and unlawfully exhumes corpses from graves for various purposes, notably for profit, scientific research, or medical studies. This nefarious practice often occurred in the past when legitimate sources for cadavers were scarce or highly regulated.
The primary motivation behind body snatching is typically financial gain, as the illicit trade of human remains had the potential to yield substantial profits. These individuals would surreptitiously dig up fresh burial sites under the cover of darkness, typically targeting those buried in pauper's graves or recently deceased individuals of lower social status. The stolen corpses were then sold to medical institutions, such as anatomy schools or private medical practitioners, to satisfy the demand for dissection and anatomical study.
Body snatchers often employed stealthy and covert techniques to avoid detection, including the use of shovels, ropes, hooks, and even dissection instruments. They would act swiftly and efficiently to minimize the risk of being caught in the act. Despite their illegal activities, body snatchers played a significant role in supplying cadavers for scientific advancement during a time when legal sources were either scarce or restricted.
However, due to public outrage and the increasing recognition of the unethical nature of their actions, laws and regulations were enacted to combat the practice of body snatching. These regulations aimed at protecting the sanctity of burial grounds, preventing the illegal excavation of corpses, and ensuring the ethical procurement of cadavers for medical and scientific purposes.
Common Misspellings for BODY SNATCHER
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Etymology of BODY SNATCHER
The term "body snatcher" originated in the early 19th century in England and is derived from the verb "snatch", which means to quickly and forcibly take something. The prefix "body" refers to a human corpse, particularly one that has recently died.
The term became associated with individuals who engaged in the illicit act of exhuming corpses from graveyards for various purposes, most notably for dissection in medical schools. During this time, there was a high demand for cadavers for anatomical study, while legal means of obtaining corpses for medical research were limited. Consequently, body snatchers, also known as resurrectionists, would dig up recently buried bodies and sell them to medical institutions.
The practice of body snatching was met with public outrage and led to the introduction of various laws and measures to protect burial sites and prevent the illegal trade of corpses.
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