This Crime Time Inc episode examines the infamous Burke and Hare case, drawing from actual court records to reconstruct scenes from nearly two centuries ago with compelling narrative detail.
The discussion provides an in-depth exploration of one of Scotland's most notorious criminal cases — the 1828 Edinburgh murders perpetrated by Burke and Hare. Hosts Tom and Simon examine the background of these crimes, beginning with the pair's initial relationship and contextualising 19th-century Edinburgh's social and economic landscape.
Their murderous activities were driven by demand for fresh cadavers in medical research, which flourished in Edinburgh during that era. The episode methodically deconstructs the investigative techniques employed, revealing how Burke and Hare targeted vulnerable individuals to supply bodies to Dr Robert Knox and his anatomy students.
Notable details include how their first killing occurred, their victim selection process, and their method of smothering victims to preserve bodies for dissection.
Sergeant Major Fisher's arrest of Burke and Hare receives significant attention, illustrating early forensic investigation and the difficulties Edinburgh police encountered navigating the city's class divisions.
The episode concludes reflectively, examining how these crimes affected legal, social, and medical institutions, setting anticipation for exploring the case's aftermath and lasting impact on criminal and medical history.