Heidelberg University has been using cadavers in tests since the 1970's. In 1993, this information was made public and the reception was mixed. Many within the government and the church were quick to condemn these tests, citing the dignity of the people whose corpses were being used. However, there were also those who took the side of Heidelberg, which believed these tests were necessary to create the best and safest automobiles. When asked about using the corpses of children, Dr. Rainer Mattern responded, "The tests have saved the lives of countless other children".

In the US, Wayne State University has been testing with cadavers since the 1960's. They are considered one of the pioneers in cadaver testing initiatives. They developed the Wayne State Tolerance Curve, or "the amount of force required to cause head injuries in a car crash" (WapCar 2021). They are also credited with developing the Head Injury Criterion. These are two of the most important components of vehicle safety and are responsible for much of the safety features implemented by automobile companies today.