Related Experiment Videos
The law relating to dealing with dead bodies
1Cardiff University, UK.
Medical Law International
|March 26, 2004
Summary
This article examines legal aspects of human tissue removal during post-mortem examinations. It highlights insufficient consideration of common law rights regarding funeral arrangements and burial, impacting the offense of preventing decent burial.
Area of Science:
- Medical Law
- Bioethics
Background:
- Recent inquiries have focused on human tissue removal and retention post-mortem.
- Legal frameworks surrounding these practices require examination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comment on legal submissions regarding human tissue retention after post-mortem examinations.
- To analyze the common law rights related to funeral arrangements and burial.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of legal submissions to the Bristol Royal Infirmary Inquiry.
- Review of common law principles concerning dead body disposition.
Main Results:
- Identified insufficient consideration of the common law right to Christian burial.
- Noted a lack of exploration into the scope of permissible post-mortem practices.
- Highlighted unexplored implications for the offense of preventing decent burial.
Conclusions:
- Current legal considerations inadequately address common law burial rights.
- Further exploration of permissible post-mortem tissue handling and its legal implications is necessary.