1. Burke and Hare Scotland’s Most Infamous
Body Snatchers

2. In Victorian times: Bodies were needed for medical research
Hanged criminals’ bodies were donated to medical schools
Not enough
Body snatching was invented!

3. In Edinburgh… Body snatching was rife
Grave yards had large walls, railings and towers to protect the dead.
Some graves even had their own rails

4. Burke and Hare
Irish
Moved to Edinburgh to work as labourers on New Union Canal
Lodged with Maggie Laird and Nell Macdougal – women of low virtue!
Lived in sleazy area: West Port
Rear of lodgings

5. By day…

6. By night…

7. So Profitable…
They began to murder people to sell their bodies.

8. The Old Town - Edinburgh
Waited in The White Hart Inn
Watched for possible victims
Lured them to their death
Strangled victims so as not to damage their bodies – medical research.

9. Dr. Knox Bought the bodies Used them in his medical school
Asked no questions!

10. Last Victim Mrs. Docherty From Ireland, new to Edinburgh
Burke invited her to stay at his lodgings
Paid off two other lodgers, Mr. and Mrs. Gray
But they were suspicious and returned…

11. Disappeared Mrs. Docherty had gone!
Burke said he’d thrown her out for rudeness!
They found her body under the straw mattress.

12. Mrs. Docherty had been strangled!

13. Caught!
Burke tried to bribe Mr. and Mrs. Gray, but they went to the police.

14. How many??? Burke and Hare killed between 13 and 30 people.
ONLY BURKE WAS PROSECUTED.
He was only found guilty of one murder: Mrs. Docherty’s

15. The execution of William Burke on The Lawnmarket 28th January 1829

16. His skeleton is still on display at the University Medical School!
Burke’s body was donated to a medical school!
His skeleton is still on display at the University Medical School!
William Burke's Skeleton

17. A Pocket Book
…was made of his skin and is still on display in the Police Museum, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh