The Parisian investigating judges investigating the indecent conditions of conservation of remains at the Body Donation Center (CDC) completed their investigations on February 21, AFP learned the following day from sources close to the case. The University of Paris, a new entity that absorbed Paris-Descartes, the former president Frédéric Dardel, as well as two preparers, were indicted for " damage to the integrity of a corpse“.
Specifically, the former president is being prosecuted for failing to take the " effective measures (…) to remedy the material situation in which the Body Donation Centre found itself " between November 2016 and December 2018, details a judicial source. And this, " despite repeated warnings (…) describing the advanced state of decomposition of hundreds of human bodies" , " their cramming in unworthy conditions, in the presence of rodents", continues the same source. Contacted by AFP, his lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, did not wish to comment.
Read alsoDonating the body to science: “A body must be treated with respect,” explains Philippe Charlier
Stabbing and bone preservation
The two trainers are being prosecuted over a longer period. The first, aged 49, is being indicted for having " stabbed " And " deliberately left the bodies at the mercy of rodents", between November 2013 and January 2018, according to the judicial source. His lawyer could not be reached.
The second, 81 years old, is being prosecuted for having " preserved bones (…) in undignified conditions " And " for private purposes » between November 2013 and December 2020. His lawyer, Saveriu Felli, argued to AFP that this preparer had practiced “ a difficult job, certainly unbearable for the vast majority of human beings" . He has " always exercised within the framework of a hierarchical subordination relationship" assured Mr. Felli.
The University of Paris is being prosecuted for a period after the opening of the judicial investigation: it is being indicted for having kept on its premises " bones " In " conditions contrary to the dignity of corpses " between January and December 2020. His lawyer, Patrick Maisonneuve, has not commented at this stage. Urologist Guy Vallencien, for whom the civil parties were hoping to be implicated, was heard as a simple witness.
Read alsoDonating the body to science: when ethics are flouted
“Repairing the trauma caused by this indignity“
This stage marks the opening of a period for the parties to make observations, for the prosecution to make its submissions, and for the investigating magistrates to decide whether or not to refer the persons prosecuted. My clients are waiting for these accused, presumed innocent, to be sent before the criminal court so that they can explain themselves.", stressed Frédéric Douchez, who represents more than 100 civil parties out of the 150 constituted. " We hope for legal action that will help repair the trauma caused by this indignity.", added Arié Alimi, lawyer for a civil party.
The affair was revealed at the end of 2019 by The Express, and a judicial investigation launched the following day. In addition to the chilling conditions of conservation, the weekly described suspicions of commercialization of the bodies. These revelations led the Minister of Higher Education to order the closure of the "temple of French anatomy", founded in 1953. An administrative investigation concluded that the Paris-Descartes University was responsible for " serious ethical breaches“.
English 
French