Small and Whitfield investigated, cleared of wrongdoing for selling human skeletons

A six-month investigation into an Adelaide auction house selling human remains has concluded, with the business being cleared by police.

Small and Whitfield managing director David Kabbani knew the business did nothing wrong in the sale of human skulls and skeletons. Picture: Kelly Barnes

An Adelaide auction house found to be selling human skulls and skeletons has been cleared of breaking any laws after a six-month police investigation.

Small and Whitfield Auctions in Parkside was revealed by The Advertiser in October to be auctioning off “medical” skeletal remains “from retired doctors”.

After an investigation, a police spokesman said there had been no offences identified to date and that the business co-operated with all inquiries.

“Following receipt of information in September 2024 regarding the sale of skeletal remains at an Adelaide auction house, SAPOL immediately commenced an investigation into the origins of those remains, to determine whether any offences had been committed in respect to their possession or sale,” the spokesman said.

Small and Whitfield auction house. Picture: Google Maps

“All remains for sale by the auction house have been expertly assessed and to date, all have been determined to have features of anatomical preparation and non-Australian ancestry.

“The sale of these anatomically prepared human remains is not in contravention of any law within South Australia.

Small and Whitfield was found to be doing nothing wrong in the sale of human skulls and skeletons for medical purposes. Picture: Small and Whitfield

Under the Transplantation and Anatomy Act, it is only legal to sell or buy human tissue, which includes bones, with permission from the health minister; or if the tissue has been subjected to processing or treatment and the sale was made under the direction of a medical practitioner for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes.

Managing director David Kabbani said the business knew it was doing the right thing.

“We always play by the rules,” he said.

“When we were selling these skeletons we knew that it was legal, we have found unknown skeletons in deliveries here that we have handed straight to the police each time.

“We’ll continue to abide by all laws and rules as we always have.”

South Australia police are not “presently” aware of any other instances relating to the sale of human remains by second hand dealers, a spokesman said.

“However, [SAPOL] will continue to act upon any information provided by the public relative to the sale of human remains to ensure their origin is identified,” he said.

Originally published as Small and Whitfield investigated, cleared of wrongdoing for selling human skeletons