Participation of a forensic physician in beatification and canonization processes - description of three cases from...

Exhumation refers to the extraction of a body or human remains for the purpose of conducting forensic or medical examinations (e.g., to determine or confirm the cause of death), or for transferring the remains to another grave. Exhumations may also be performed under other circumstances and constitute one of the stages in beatification and canonization proceedings. In such cases, the provisions of the Code of Canon Law apply. Between 1989 and 2000, medical experts from the Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Toxicology in Katowice participated on three occasions in activities involving exhumation, canonical recognition of mortal remains, and the transfer of remains to new burial sites. This paper presents those cases, outlines the course of medical and judicial procedures, and discusses the legal and ecclesiastical aspects of beatification and canonization processes.