Burke And Hare: 8 Facts About The Bodysnatchers Who Weren't

In what some would see as a fitting end, once William Burke had been executed, his body was turned over to one of Robert Knox's contemporaries - Alexander Monro. His remains were publicly dissected in an event that almost caused a riot due to limited permissible admittance.

The Surgeon's Hall Museum on Nicholson Street in Edinburgh still houses the death mask that was taken of Burke immediately after his execution and still bears the noose marks around the neck. There is also a pocket book that is alleged to have been bound with his skin, bearing the inscription "Executed 28 Jan 1829". His skeleton is in the Anatomical Museum of Edinburgh's Medical School to this day.

As for Hare, his immunity caused a huge public outcry. He was taken in protective police custody for his own safety and is said to have crossed the border into England. Not a huge amount is known about his later life, although it was rumoured that he was recognised by an angry mob, blinded and thrown down a quarry.

In the aftermath of this case, the Anatomy Act of 1832 was passed which allowed medical students, lecturers and doctors to freely dissect any bodies donated to them. This stopped the lack of bodies that caused the grave-robbing spree in the first place.

Tragically, a bill with similar intent had been proposed in 1828 to parliament and rejected in 1829. It isn't possible to say for sure that this would have avoided these terrible events, but it is possible.