A new mortuary at Dundee University has been named after crime writer Val McDermid following a public vote.

The facility was funded by the “Million for a Morgue” campaign, during which the public donated money to the project while also voting for which crime author to name it after.

The campaign aimed to raise cash to match a £1m investment by the university for new facilities.

Ms McDermid said it was a “very proud moment” for her.

The Val McDermid Mortuary, which is now up and running, is the first in the UK to exclusively use the Thiel method of embalming, which it is hoped can provide “significant breakthroughs” in scientific, medical and dental research and training.

A total of 10 authors supported the campaign and were in the running to have the morgue named after them. Each online vote contributed £1 to the appeal.

Runner-up Stuart MacBride has had a dissection room at the mortuary named after him, while the other eight authors have had their names put on Thiel embalming tanks.

More Information:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-28308847