MUSA, a museum that explains how science protects human rights, has opened

“Why is it important to identify?” This question pops up on the wall of the new Milan Museum. The answer lies in the importance of restoring human dignity and justice when they are lost, and above all, doing so through science.

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Between science and human rights: Moses Museum was born

he is called Meditation and he University Museum of Anthropological, Medical and Forensic Human Rights. We are in the Lombard capital, inMilan State UniversityThe new museum was recently opened. An extraordinary place full of curiosity, where the discovery of how the fight against violence and the protection of human rights also pass through science can be discovered.

Although several popular TV series have fueled her fame and undoubted charm, the work of forensic pathologists and anthropologists is one of endless patience and detail. Searching, measuring, comparing and collecting data and studying it with keen interest is not easy. A simple mistake can jeopardize a full investigation or a lengthy search.
While, usually, we learn about the findings of these scholars, little is known about how and the significance of the various stages of their work, even in aspects we tend not to take into account, among such respects for human rights.
MUSA was created for this very purpose.

Scientific disciplines that study the body

In the museum, the scientific disciplines that deal with the study of the body are discovered to reconstruct its history and redraw the contours of a past event, far or away in time. All this is done through a cadaver and skeletal examination, and in some cases, through a biology examination.

MUSA was born from LabnovThe Laboratory of Anthropology and Forensic Dentistry of the University of Milan, with the support of Cariploo FoundationFrom a non-profit organization Isacchi Samaja Foundation and the organization human land.

The message you intend to convey on the occasion of the opening of last October 19 has been clarified by Christina Cattaneowho coordinates MUSA and is professor of forensic medicine and anthropology at the State of Milan, as well as scientific director of the Labanof Laboratory.
He explained that the new museum aims to show how the application of science and medicine in the study of the body can be “a formidable weapon to combat violence and protect human rights.”

Trip to MUSA

The MUSA, which will be open to the public from November 2, 2022organized in Six sections:

an introductionwhere the steps for the study of human remains are explained in addition to the museum’s moving display;
Archaeological Historywhich contains part of the Labanov Anthropology Collection, with about 1,500 skeletons, and an area illustrating the development of Milan over two millennia with finds from all ages;
identificationwhich deals with the sensitive and important issue of the right to identify the dead, with a portion devoted to unidentified migrant deaths;
a crimewhich reproduces the typical four scenarios of deadly crimes – inspection, autopsy, laboratory investigations, and trial – with also a quick look at the intervention of police forces and forensic experts;
Alivewhich demonstrates the importance of medicine and forensic science in protecting the living and their rights, thus also emphasizing the value of science in combating violence;
Mission Melelli-il Barconetrack dedicated to the story of the sinking of a fishing boat off the coast of Libya on April 18, 2015, a tragedyimmigration In which about a thousand people died.

Each section is enriched with exhibits, dioramas – settings and scenes reproduced with miniature models – and explanatory panels, as well as animations and videos. In addition, the various stations are equipped with QR codes, an area with an audio guide, and touch screen models designed for blind visitors.
Finally, it is possible to enter into the merits of some national and international court cases, which have now been finalized, thanks to the consultation of videos, podcasts and other materials available in a specific PC workstation. To access this service, however, a reservation is required.

Ultimately, MUSA aims to show you in action how forensic science works.
It is not only a matter of reassembling objects or objects, and scientifically proving how certain events occurred, but of reconstructing parts of people’s lives by returning memory and truth to their stories.

Music: “Bone” soundtrack
Cover photo: Malcolm Lightbody by Unsplash