Renowned Forensic Medicine Expert, Professor Daniele Ugo Risser, Dies at 66
Vienna, – The Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Vienna) is mourning the loss of Professor Daniele Ugo Risser, a leading figure in forensic medicine, who passed away earlier this month. He was 66 years old.
Born on , in Lienz, Austria, Professor Risser dedicated his life to the intersection of medical practice and scientific research. He completed his medical studies at the University of Vienna and received his doctorate in 1987.
Professor Risser began his career as a trainee at the then-Institute of Forensic Medicine in 1989. He became a specialist in forensic medicine in 1996 and received his habilitation – a post-doctoral qualification – in 2000, focusing his research on drug-related deaths in Vienna. He assumed leadership of the Institute on December 1, 2008, and served as a board member of the Austrian Society for Forensic Medicine (ÖGGM) from 2009.
Throughout his career, Professor Risser actively sought international research experience, spending time at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm in 1995 and 1996.
According to MedUni Vienna, Professor Risser significantly shaped the structural and content development of forensic medicine in Vienna. He oversaw the renovation and redesign of autopsy facilities, adapted the infrastructure at the current Center for Forensic Medicine (ZGM), and established the field of forensic anthropology within the institute. He also created new training positions to ensure the continued development of the discipline.
His commitment extended beyond academic pursuits. Professor Risser demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility during critical events, participating as a member of the Austrian DVI team following the 2005 tsunami in Thailand. In 2015, he organized and led the forensic investigations related to the discovery of 71 deceased refugees in Parndorf, Austria.
“His path in forensic medicine was marked by the highest professional standards and scientific excellence,” stated Professor Nikolaus Klupp, Director of the Center for Forensic Medicine, in a released statement. “The promotion of the younger generation of forensic doctors was always a particular concern for him.”
Professor Klupp added, “We lose a forensic doctor who shaped his field with foresight, consistency and a sense of responsibility, and a colleague whose work had an impact far beyond the ZGM. He will continue to be present in our thoughts and in the institutions he built and helped shape.”
The Medical University of Vienna and MedUni Vienna were jointly certified according to ISO 14001 and EMAS on , a development Professor Risser would have undoubtedly welcomed, given his commitment to responsible and sustainable practices.
Professor Risser is survived by his family and friends. Details regarding memorial services have not yet been released.
