The University of Tasmania's R.A. Rodda Museum of Pathology advised the state coroner's office in 2016 it may have specimens from coronial autopsies.
In a statement on Wednesday, the coroner's office said the existence of the specimens had been confirmed and had been formally reported under provisions of the coronial act.
"The coroner has now commenced a formal investigation," the statement said.
"Initial records provided indicate that the collection of specimens began in 1953 and ceased in 1985 and relate to 147 persons.
"It is unclear whether this occurred with the knowledge or consent of family members."
The museum was established in 1966 by pathology professor Roland Arnold Rodda as a teaching and research facility.
It specialises in diseased organs from samples collected primarily through autopsies and surgical specimens from the years soon after it was established, the museum's website says.
The current collection totals about 2700 items and every organ system of the body is represented.
The collection is housed at a building of the university's School of Medicine in the Hobart CBD.
The coroner's office was contacted for further comment but a spokeswoman said it was not appropriate to provide more information with the investigation under way.
The University of Tasmania has also been contacted for comment.
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