Abu Kabir Forensic Institute facts for kids
The L. Greenberg National Institute of Forensic Medicine, often called the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, is a special science lab in Tel Aviv, Israel. It's a place where scientists use clues to help understand how people died, especially when the death was unexpected.
This institute is the only one in Israel allowed to perform special examinations on bodies when someone dies in an unusual way. The experts here also help identify victims of serious incidents and investigate suspicious deaths. They use science to find answers.
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What's in a Name?
This important institute has a few different names. You might hear it called the National Center of Forensic Medicine. Its full name is the L. Greenberg National Institute of Forensic Medicine. Most people simply call it the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute or just Abu Kabir.
A Look at Its History
The Abu Kabir Institute started in 1954. It was first part of the Israel Police. In June 1955, it officially opened. This was possible thanks to a generous gift from the Jewish Federation in South Africa. They made the donation to honor Judge Leopold Greenberg.
Later in 1955, the institute became part of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Over the years, its management changed several times. In 1975, it moved to the Israeli Ministry of Health. Then, in 1988, it joined the Sackler Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. By 2004, it was managed by the Assaf Harofeh Medical Center. Finally, in 2012, it was decided that the Ministry of Health's medical administration would oversee it.
What the Institute Does
The scientists at the institute perform about 2,000 special examinations each year. These examinations help understand how someone died. They need permission from the family or a court order to do this work.
The facility also conducts about 600 tests each year on living people. These tests help with investigations. The main areas of study at the institute include:
- Understanding sudden and unexpected deaths in babies.
- Finding new ways to examine bodies.
- Identifying human remains.
- Studying injuries from conflicts or weapons.
The institute also gathers information about the genetic makeup of people in Israel. They compare data from different groups, like Arab and Jewish populations.
Forensic Biology Department
The Department of Forensic Biology at the institute helps identify bodies that are hard to recognize. This might happen if a body is badly damaged, for example, after an attack. It also helps when a long time passes before a body is found. This department also uses biological evidence, like DNA, to help solve serious cases.
Legal Anthropology Lab
The institute also has an anthropological laboratory. This lab focuses on legal anthropology. This field uses knowledge about human bones and remains to help with legal cases. The Abu Kabir Institute is the only place in Israel recognized for its special work in forensic medicine.
