In "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers," Mary Roach discusses an intriguing question regarding the use of crash test dummies in safety testing. While dummies provide valuable data on the forces experienced during crashes, this information lacks context without understanding the actual limits of human body parts. Essentially, knowing how much impact a dummy endures is meaningless unless we also know how much a real human body can withstand.

This highlights the necessity of studying human cadavers, as they offer crucial insights into the physical limits and responses of actual bodies during accidents. By examining real human anatomy, researchers can better interpret the data gathered from crash test dummies and develop more effective safety measures, ultimately saving lives and improving vehicle safety standards.