Latest Expert Witness News

Experts create animation of Elephant Man

John Merrick, the Elephant Man was a Victorian curiosity who entertained and horrified audiences. His life has been portrayed in plays and films and more recently as a true to life animation.

Biomechanics expert Bill Sellers has created a detailed animation. Merrick’s exhumed skeleton was used scanned using laser and CT scans. Working with Dr Sellers, an expert in life sciences at Manchester University and a world leader in ergonomics. An animation has recreating the way Merrick walked, used bespoke designed computer program, GaitSym.

Findings reveal that despite his deformities, the Elephant Man was mainly impeded by a broken hip which left him lame. It is believed that he broke his left femur when young, but his poverty prevented any medical treatment. It would have been extremely painful to walk and explains his shuffling gait.

Merrick was befriended by surgeon Frederick Treves who arranged for him to spend the rest of his life in the London Hospital, although his hip problems were never treated. It is believed Merrick died of a dislocated neck after trying to sleep lying down

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