APPENDIX.

Statutory Regulations Concerning Dead Bodies.

The coroner has power to hold inquest and direct autopsy,

Ala., Code, sec. 4,801 et seq.
Ariz., Pen. Code, sec. 2,309 et seq.
Ark., R. S., sec. 692.
Cal., Pen. Code; sec. 1,510.
Col., Mill’s Stat., sec. 870.
Conn., Gen. Stat., secs. 2,005, 2,008.
Del., R. S., ch. 33.
Fla., R. S., secs. 3,011, 3,019.
Ga., Code, secs. 590, 591, 4,101 et seq.
Idaho, R. S., sec. 8,377.
Ill., S. & C. Am. Stat., v. 1, 606.
Ind., R. S., secs. 5,878, 5,879.
Iowa, McCl. Am. Code, sec. 487.
Kan., Gen. Stat., secs. 1,780, 1,784.
Ky., Gen. Stat., ch. 25, secs. 3, 11.
La., Voorh. Rev. L., sec. 653.
Me., R. S., ch. 139, sec. 1.
Md., Code, art. 22, secs. 3, 4.
Minn., Gen. Stat., sec. 1,011 et seq.
Miss., Am. Code, sec. 816.
Mo., R. L., sec. 2,438 et seq.
Mont., Crim. L., secs. 869, 883.
Neb., Consol. Stat., sec. 3,144.
N. H., Pub. Stat., ch. 262, sec. 1 et seq.
N. J., Rev. Stat., p. 170 et seq.
N. C., Code, sec. 657.
N. Dak., Comp. Laws, sec. 664 et seq.
Ohio, R. L., sec. 1,221 et seq.
Oklahoma, Stat., sec. 1,745 et seq.
Ore., Crim. Code, sec. 453 et seq.
Pa., Bright Pen. Digest, 1536, sec. 37.
R. I., Pub. Laws, 1884, ch. 420, sec. 17.
S. C., R. S., secs. 711, 2,664 et seq.
Tenn., Code, sec. 6,139 et seq.
Va., Code, sec. 2,928 et seq.
Wash., Hill’s Am. Stat., v. 1, sec. 245 et seq.
W. Va., Code, ch. 154.
Wis., S. & B. Am. Stat., ch. 200.
Wyo., R. S., sec. 1,879 et seq.

Medical examiner shall hold inquest and direct autopsy.

Mass., Pub. Stat., ch. 26, secs. 10, 11.
R. I., Pub. Laws, 1884, ch. 420.

Justice of the peace shall hold inquest and direct autopsy.

Mich., How. Am. Stat., v. 2, sec. 9,583 et seq.
Nev., Gen. Stat., sec. 225 et seq.
N. M., Comp. L., sec. 443 et seq.
Texas, Code Crim. P., art. 988 et seq.
Vt., Rev. L., sec. 3,934 et seq.
Wis., S. & B. Am. Stat., ch. 200.

And may order a body to be disinterred for the purpose of holding such inquisition.

Ark., R. L., sec. 718.
Cal., Pen. Code, sec. 1,510.
Del., R. L., ch. 33.
Ga., Code, secs. 590, 591, 410 et seq.
Idaho, R. L., sec. 8,377.
S. C., R. S., sec. 2,687.
Texas, Code Crim. P., art. 989.

And when not claimed by friends and relatives, to bury the body decently, and when the property of deceased is not sufficient to defray expenses, this may be done at public expense.

Cal., Pen. Code, sec. 3,094.
Col., Mill’s Stat., sec. 882.
Conn., Gen. Stat., sec. 2,015.
Idaho, R. L., sec. 2,081.
Ill., S. & C. Am. Stat., v. 1, 606.
Iowa, McCl. Am. Code, sec. 501.
Kan., Gen. Stat., sec. 1,792.
Ky., Gen. Stat., ch. 25, sec. 6.
La., Voorh. Rev. L., sec. 660.
Me., R. S., ch. 139, sec. 11.
Md., Code, art. 22, sec. 7.
Mass., Laws, 1887, ch. 310.
Mich., How. Am. Stat., v. 3, sec. 9,593.
Minn., Gen. Stat., sec. 1,021.
Miss., Am. Code, secs. 3,145, 3,146.
Mo., R. L., sec. 2,456.
Mont., Gen. Laws, sec. 881.
Neb., Consol. Stat., sec. 3,144.
Nev., Gen. Stat., sec. 2,269.
N. H., Pub. Stat., ch. 262, sec. 16.
N. J., Rev. Stat., p. 170, sec. 5.
N. M., Comp. Laws, sec. 447.
N. Dak., Comp. Laws, sec. 676.
Ohio, R. L., sec. 1,227.
Oklahoma, Stat., sec. 1,759.
Ore., Crim. Code, sec. 462.
R. I., Pub. Laws, 1884, ch. 420, sec. 24.
Tenn., Code, sec. 6,150.
Va., Code, sec. 3,946.
Wash., Hill’s Am. Stat., v. 1, sec. 257.
W. Va., Code, ch. 154, sec. 8.
Wis., S. & B. Am. Stat., ch. 200.
Wyo., R. S., sec. 1,886.

Removal or disinterment of a dead body without authority of law or consent of relatives, for the purpose of selling such body or for dissection or for mere wantonness, is—

(a) A felony.

Cal., Pen. Code, sec. 290.
Ga., Laws, 1882, v. 2, p. 87.
Ill., S. & C. Am. Stat., v. 1, p. 794.
Ind., R. S., sec. 2,166.
Mo., R. S., secs. 3,842, 3,845.
Mont., Laws, 1889, p. 114.
N. C., Laws, 1885, ch. 90.

(b) A misdemeanor.

Ark., R. S., secs. 1,902, 1,903.
Del., Laws, 1883, ch. 234.
Kan., Gen. Stat., sec. 2,372 et seq.
Md., Code, art. 27, secs. 133, 134.
Pa., Bright Pen. Digest, 229, sec. 11.
Tenn., Code, secs. 5,659, 5,660.

(c) Is punishable by various sentences.

Ala., Code, secs. 4,023, 4,028.
Ariz., Pen. Code, sec. 491.
Col., Mill’s Stat., sec. 1,367.
Conn., Gen. Stat., sec. 1,880.
Fla., R. L., sec. 2,625.
Iowa, McCl. Am. Code, sec. 5,328.
Ky., Gen. Stat., ch. 29, art. 17, sec. 16.
Me., R. S., ch. 124, sec. 27.
Mass., Pub. Stat., ch. 207, secs. 47, 48.
Mich., How. Stat., v. 2, sec. 9,297.
Miss., Am. Code, secs. 1,023, 1,024.
Neb., Consol. Stat., sec. 5,847.
N. H., Pub. Stat., ch. 266, sec. 7.
N Dak., Comp. Laws, sec. 6,559.
Ohio, R. L., sec. 7,034.
Oklahoma, Stat., sec. 2,198.
Ore., Crim. Code, sec. 656.
Texas, Pen. Code, art. 345.
Vt., Rev. L., secs. 4,194, 4,196.
Va., Code, sec. 208.
W. Va., Code, ch. 149, sec. 13.
Wis., S. & B. Am. Stat., sec. 4,592.
Wyo., R. L., sec. 1,029.

(d) A high misdemeanor.

N. J., Rev. Stat., p. 249, sec. 122.

Bodies of criminals executed under sentence, and those dying in jail, poor-house, etc., when to be delivered over for dissection.

Ark., R. S., sec. 2,552.
Cal., Pen. Code, sec. 3,094.
Col., Mill’s Stat., secs. 1,547, 1,548, 1,204.
Conn., Gen. Stat., secs. 1,729, 1,732.
Ga., Laws, 1887, v. 2, p. 87.
Ill., S. & C. Am. Stat., v. 1, 869.
Ill., Crim. Code, sec. 503.
Ill., S. & C. Am. Stat., v. 3, p. 867.
Ind., R. L., sec. 4,258 et seq.
Iowa, McCl. Am Code, sec. 5,329.
Kan., Gen. Stat., sec. 3,758.
Me., R. S., ch. 13, sec. 2.
Me., Laws, 1893, ch. 254.
Mass., Laws, 1891, ch. 185.
Mass., Pub. Stat., ch. 202, sec. 8.
Mich., How. Stat., v. 3, sec. 2,284.
Minn., Gen. Stat., sec. 678.
Mo., R. S., sec. 6,883.
Neb., Consol. Stat., secs. 3,299, 3,301, 5,848.
N. H., Pub. Stat., ch. 136.
N. J., Rev. Stat., p. 239, sec. 69.
N. C., Laws, 1891, ch. 129.
N. Dak., Laws, 1890, ch. 92.
Ohio, R. S., sec. 3,763.
Ore., Hill’s Am. Laws, sec. 3,730 et seq.
Pa., Bright Pen. Dig., p. 94, sec. 1 et seq.
Vt., Laws, 1884, ch. 85.
Va., Code, ch. 80.
Wash., Hill’s Am. Stat., v. 1, sec. 2,428 et seq.
Wash., S. & B. Am. Stat., sec. 1,437.

Duty of burial, etc.

Ariz., Pen. Code, sec. 493.
Cal., Pen. Code, sec. 292.
Minn., Gen. Stat., sec. 6,221.
N. Dak., Comp. Laws, secs. 6,550, 6,556.
Oklahoma, Stat., sec. 2,189.

Concealing birth of child which, if born alive, would be a bastard, is punishable.

Col., Mill’s Stat., sec. 1,195.
Fla., R. L., sec. 2,393.
Mass., Pub. Stat., ch. 207, sec. 11.
Mich., How. Am. Stat., sec. 9,284.
Mont., Crim. L., sec. 41.
Neb., Consol. Stat., sec. 5,582.
Nev., Gen. Stat., sec. 4,597.
N. H., Pub. Stat., ch. 278, sec. 14.
N. Dak., Comp. L., sec. 6,947.
Oklahoma, Stat., sec. 2,179.
Ore., Crim. Code, sec. 649.
Pa., Bright Pen. Digest, 431, sec. 158.
R. I., Pub. Stat., ch. 244, sec. 8.
Wis., S. & B. Am. Stat., sec. 4,585.

Is a misdemeanor.

Minn., Gen. Stat., sec. 6,210.
N. J., Rev. Stat., p. 241, sec. 83.

Is a felony.

Mo., R. S., sec. 3,479 (whether born dead or alive)

Alabama.

Removal of body wantonly for dissection or sale, purchase of a body unlawfully disinterred, violating grave with intent to steal body, etc., or wantonly mutilating body, is punishable by fine or imprisonment (Code, secs. 4,023, 4,028).

Coroner, or in his absence justice of the peace, to hold inquest and direct examination of body by surgeon, etc. (Code, sec. 4,801 et seq.).

Arizona.

Mutilation, etc., of dead body is a felony (Pen. Code, sec. 491).

Removal of a part of body unlawfully is punishable (Pen. Code, sec. 492).

Duty of burying body is, if a married woman, on husband; if not a married woman, on nearest of kin who is an adult possessed of sufficient means. If deceased has no relatives, on coroner holding inquest or overseers, etc., of poor (Pen. Code, sec. 493).

Refusal of one on whom duty of burial is imposed by law, is punishable (Pen. Code, sec. 494).

Arrest or attachment of a dead body is a misdemeanor (Pen. Code, sec. 496 et seq.).

Coroner to hold inquest and direct autopsy (Pen. Code, sec. 2,309 et seq.).

Person whose duty it is to bury is entitled to custody except where coroner holds it until inquest is completed (Pen. Code, sec. 495).

Arkansas.

Bodies of persons dying in alms-house, prison, house of correction, or jail shall be surrendered to a physician for dissection, etc., unless the deceased request to be buried or the body is claimed by relatives, or unless deceased died suddenly and unknown; and after such use for dissection it shall be decently buried (R. S., sec. 2,552).

Removal of dead body for the purpose of dissection, or stealing, or from wantonness, or receiving same knowing it to have been unlawfully disinterred, is a misdemeanor (R. S., secs. 1,902, 1,903).

Dead body can be transported out of county in which death occurred on permit of State board of health (R. S., sec. 480).

Coroner to hold inquest and direct autopsy, etc. (R. S., sec. 692).

And may order a body to be disinterred for inquisition (R. S., sec. 718).

California.

Removal, mutilation, or disinterment of dead body without authority of law is a felony (Pen. Code, sec. 290).

Removal of part of body for sale, dissection maliciously or wantonly is punishable (Pen. Code, sec. 291).

Duty of Burial.—Of married woman, on husband; not a married woman, nearest of kin who is an adult with sufficient means; where no relatives, on coroner who held the inquest or overseers, etc., of poor (Pen. Code, sec. 292).

Refusal to bury by person on whom duty rests by law to bury, is a misdemeanor and he is liable for treble the expenses (Pen. Code, sec. 293).

Custody of body is on him on whom duty to bury is imposed by law, except where coroner detains remains for inquest (Pen. Code, sec. 294).

Arrest or attachment of dead body for any debt or demand is a misdemeanor (Pen. Code, sec. 295).

One who disinters or exhumes a body without permit of board of health, health officer, or mayor, or transports such exhumed remains through streets of town, city, etc., except in a sealed coffin, guilty of a misdemeanor (Laws, 1878, ch. 673).

A sheriff, coroner, or keeper of county poor-house, public hospital, county jail, or State prison, etc., must surrender bodies of those who are to be buried at public expense, to any physician or surgeon for dissection, etc., unless deceased during his last sickness requested to be buried or body is claimed by relatives, etc., or deceased was a stranger or traveller, died suddenly (Pen. Code, sec. 3,094).

Coroner to bury body when no other person takes charge of same (Pen. Code, sec. 4,286).

Coroner to hold inquest, direct autopsy, and may exhume (Pen. Code, see. 1,510).

Colorado.

Concealment of death of issue which, if born alive, would be a bastard, is punishable (Mill’s Stat., sec. 1,195).

Body of criminal executed for capital offence shall be delivered to a physician or surgeon unless claimed by relative or friend (Mill’s Stat., sec. 1,204).

Board of health, mayor, etc., or officer, etc., having control of any alms-house, prison, hospital, jail, etc., shall surrender bodies to be buried at public expense to any physician or surgeon for dissection, etc., unless deceased during last illness requested to be buried, or body is claimed by relatives or friends, or deceased was a stranger or traveller who died unknown (Mill’s Stat., secs. 1,547, 1,548).

Non-resident poor person to be decently buried (Mill’s Stat., sec. 3,391).

Coroner to hold inquest, etc., or, if none, bury it decently at expense of county (Mill’s Stat., secs. 870-882).

Removal of body unlawfully for sale, dissection, etc., punishable (Mill’s Stat., sec. 1,367).

Board of health may direct removal of dead bodies from cemetery within a city (Laws, 1893, ch. 113, sec. 54).

Connecticut.

No body shall be buried or disinterred or removed beyond limits of any town unless a permit is obtained, and where deceased died of an infectious disease body shall be in a hermetically sealed case (Gen. Stat., secs. 106, 108, 113).

Custody of remains is in husband or wife or next of kin (Gen. Stat., sec. 536).

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Gen. Stat., secs. 2,005, 2,008). And deliver body to friends or, if none, to town authorities for burial (Gen. Stat., sec. 2,015).

Mayor, etc., may deliver bodies of those not buried within twenty-four hours after death to medical college for dissection, etc., unless relatives or friends do not consent, or deceased requested to be buried, or was a stranger or traveller (Gen. Stat., sec. 1,729).

Bodies of convicts dying in State prison and not having any known relatives, shall be delivered to medical institution of Yale College (Gen. Stat., sec. 1,732).

Body of one dying in a hospital shall not be examined unless father, etc., consent, or if none, within forty-eight hours after death (Gen. Stat., sec. 1,735).

Removal of body from grave unlawfully, or receiving, secreting, or dissecting same, is punishable (Gen. Stat., 1880).

Body of executed criminal shall be buried by sheriff (Gen. Stat., sec. 1,640).

Delaware.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc., or may cause body to be disinterred (R. L., ch. 33).

Removal of body from grave unlawfully, a misdemeanor (Laws, 1883, ch. 204).

Florida.

Buying, selling, or having possession for purpose of buying or selling, a dead body is punishable (R. L., sec. 2,625).

Concealing birth of issue which, if born alive, would be a bastard, is punishable (R. L., sec. 2,393).

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (R. L., secs. 3,011, 3,019).

Georgia.

Coroner to hold inquest or to disinter same for inquisition (Code, secs. 590, 591, 410 et seq.).

Public officers and their assistants, and their deputies of every county, city, town, or other municipality, or of every prison, chain gang, penitentiary, county morgue, public hospital, having control of dead body to be buried at public expense (not dying of infectious disease) shall deliver same to medical college for dissection, etc., unless claimed by friends or relatives or such friends or relatives request same to be buried, or unless deceased was a stranger or traveller (Laws, 1887, vol. 2, p. 77).

Removal of body from grave, etc., unlawfully for dissection or sale is felony, or receiving or purchasing it knowing it to have been so taken, or trafficking in dead bodies, or having them conveyed without the State for sale, etc., is a felony (Laws, 1882, vol. 2, p. 87).

Idaho.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc., and may exhume it for that purpose (R. L., sec. 8,377).

Coroner to bury body decently when not claimed by relatives, etc., and if necessary, at expense of county (R. L., sec. 2,081).

Illinois.

Removal of body unlawfully or aiding in such removal is punishable as a felony—one to ten years (S. & C. Am. Stat., vol. 1, p. 794).

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (S. & C. Am. Stat., vol. 1, p. 606).

And to deliver body to friends or bury decently if no friends claim it, if necessary at county expense (S. & C. Am. Stat., vol. 1, p. 606).

Body of executed criminals may be delivered to any physician or surgeon for dissection unless friends object (S. & C. Am. Stat., vol. 1, p. 869; Crim. Code, sec. 503).

In cities and counties where population exceeds one hundred thousand, superintendents of penitentiaries, wardens of poor-houses, coroner, city undertaker, having body required to be buried at public expense, may deliver remains to medical college or any physician or surgeon for dissection, unless claimed by relatives (S. & C. Am. Stat., vol. 3, p. 867).

Indiana.

Removal of dead body or part of same unlawfully is a felony (R. L., sec. 2,165).

Concealment of body or part thereof, which has been unlawfully used for dissection, is a felony (R. L., sec. 2,167).

Receiving or buying a body knowing it to have been unlawfully disinterred is a felony (R. L., sec. 2,168).

Dead body of one dying in a State, city, or county prison or jail, or county asylum or infirmary or public hospital, or dead body of an executed criminal, or dead body of a vagrant, or one killed while committing a felony or escaping from prison or officers, may be delivered to the faculty of a medical college in State for dissection, etc., unless deceased requested to be buried or body is claimed by next of kin (R. L., sec. 4,258 et seq.).

Dissecting or possessing body for dissection except as prescribed by law is a felony (R. L., sec. 4,271).

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (R. L, secs., 5,878, 5,879).

Iowa.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (McCl. Am. Code, sec. 487).

To bury body decently at expense of county, if necessary, or deliver it to relatives (McCl. Am. Code, sec. 501).

Removal, etc., of dead body unlawfully, or aiding such removal or knowingly receiving body so removed, etc., is punishable (McCl. Am. Code, sec. 5,328).

Coroner, undertaker, superintendent of public asylum, hospital, poor-house, or penitentiary, may deliver body to medical college or physician for dissection, etc., unless relatives, etc., refuse or deceased desired to be buried (McCl. Am. Code, sec. 5,329).

Bodies of those executed, or dying in hospitals or prisons under sentence for crime, shall be delivered to medical college or association or any physician or surgeon for dissection, etc., unless relatives or friends do not consent, or body shall have been interred, or is not claimed by relatives, or deceased expressed a wish to be buried, and after such use the remains shall be interred (Gen. Stat., sec. 3,758).

State board of health shall issue permits for transportation of bodies beyond county where death occurred (Gen. Stat., sec. 6,030).

Kansas.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Gen. Stat., secs. 1,780, 1,794).

To bury body if not claimed by friends, etc., and at public expense, if necessary (Gen. Stat., sec. 1,792).

Removal of a body unlawfully for dissection or wantonly, or receiving body knowing it to have been so removed, is a misdemeanor (Gen. Stat., sec. 2,372 et seq.).

Kentucky.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Gen. Stat., ch. 25, secs. 3, 11).

To bury the body or deliver to friends (Gen. Stat., ch. 25, sec. 6).

Body of one dying on a steamboat, or other craft, if not claimed by friends, shall be buried by master or officer in command on shore, at least four feet deep (Gen. Stat., ch. 29, art. 17, sec. 15).

Removal of body unlawfully from grave is punishable (Gen. Stat., ch. 29, art. 17, sec. 16).

Louisiana.

Coroner shall hold inquest, etc., and bury body when not claimed by friends (Voorh. Rev. L., secs. 653, 660).

Maine.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (R. L., ch. 139, sec. 1).

To bury the body at State or town expense (R. L., ch. 139, sec. 11).

Seizure of body on execution, punishable (R. L., ch. 124, sec. 26).

Removal, etc., of body unlawfully, or receiving it knowingly, or exposing, etc., body, is punishable (R. L., ch. 124, sec. 27).

Bodies may be buried and the expense recovered from the town (R. L., ch. 24, sec. 34).

If any resident request or consent that his body be delivered to a physician or surgeon for dissection, it may be so delivered, unless kindred or family connection objects (R. L., ch. 13, sec. 1).

Body of criminal dying in State prison or jail, or who was executed, may be delivered to medical college or physician, etc., for dissection, unless deceased or kindred request to be buried (R. L., ch. 13, sec. 2).

Body of person dying in the State, which is not claimed by relatives, notice having been given, shall be delivered to medical school unless ten voters of the town object to such disposition in writing (Laws, 1893, ch. 254).

Maryland.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Md. Code, art. 22, secs. 3, 4).

Shall bury the body when necessary at public expense (Md. Code, art. 22, sec. 7).

Removal, etc., from graveyard, etc. (except potter’s field), of a body is a misdemeanor (Md. Code, art. 27, secs. 133, 134).

Massachusetts.

Medical examiners shall hold inquest, etc. (Pub. Stat., ch. 26, secs. 10, 11).

And shall deliver it to relatives or friends, or if no one claims it, to overseer of poor etc., for burial (Laws, 1887, ch. 310).

Body shall not be buried in city or town or removed therefrom without a permit (Laws, 1888, ch. 306).

Body of one dying of infectious disease shall not be transported without permit, and only in a sealed case (Laws, 1883, ch. 124, sec. 2).

Body shall not be cremated without permit and inquest by medical examiner, or within forty-eight hours after death, unless death was occasioned by contagious disease (Laws, 1885, ch. 265, sec. 4).

Overseers of poor, mayor and alderman of city, or superintendent of State alms-house, may deliver body of person required to be buried at public expense, to any physician or surgeon or medical college unless deceased requested to be buried, or relative request burial or claim it, or deceased was a stranger or traveller (Laws, 1891, ch. 185).

Body of criminal executed shall be delivered for dissection to a medical college if requested; if not, to friends or relatives, or, if none, to any physician or surgeon (Pub. Stat., ch. 202, sec. 8).

Removal of body unlawfully from grave is punishable, or buying, selling, or possessing for such purpose, is punishable (Pub. Stat., ch. 207, secs. 47, 48).

Concealing birth of child which, if born alive, would be a bastard, is punishable (Pub. Stat., ch. 207, sec. 11).

Seizing dead body on execution is punishable (Pub. Stat., ch. 207, sec. 46).

Body of a prisoner shall be buried by sheriff at town expense if not claimed by relatives or friends (Pub. Stat., ch. 220, sec. 31).

Michigan.

Justice of the peace to hold inquest, etc. (How. Am. Stat., vol. 2, sec. 9,583 et seq.).

And shall bury the body at the State or town expense (How. Am. Stat., vol. 3, sec. 9,593).

Woman concealing death of issue which, if born alive, would be a bastard, is punishable (How. Am. Stat., vol. 3, sec. 9,284).

Board of health, officers, sheriff, etc., of any prison, etc., poor-house, alms-house, having body required to be buried at public expense, shall, if not claimed by relatives, or if it have died of any infectious disease, deliver it to University of Michigan, etc., for dissection, etc. (How. Am. Stat., vol. 3, sec. 2,284).

Body shall not be shipped out of State nor used in State for any purpose but anatomical study (How. Am. Stat., vol. 3, sec. 2,286).

Removal of body unlawfully is punishable (How. Stat., vol. 2, sec. 9,297).

Minnesota.

Gen. Stat., secs. 6,220, 6,230, same as N. Y. P. C., secs. 305-315.

Concealing birth of child which died before or after birth is a misdemeanor (Gen. Stat., sec. 6,210).

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Gen. Stat., sec. 1,011 et seq.).

And cause body to be buried at expense of county (Gen. Stat., sec. 1,021).

Section 6,216, same as 303, N. Y. P. C.

Body must be buried within four days, and if death was from contagious disease, within twenty-four hours and in a tightly sealed coffin which must not be reopened (Gen. Stat., sec. 607).

Wardens, superintendents of poor, and other persons having control of bodies shall deliver same to medical college committee, for dissection, unless claimed by relatives or friends, or relatives or friends do not consent, or one detained as a witness or on suspicion of having committed a crime, or deceased requested to be buried (Gen. Stat., sec. 678).

Mississippi.

Body of paupers and strangers to be buried (Am. Code, secs. 3,145, 3,146).

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Am. Code, sec. 816).

Removal of body unlawfully and wantonly, for sale or receiving same, is punishable (Am. Code, secs. 1,023, 1,024).

Missouri.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (R. L., sec. 2,438 et seq.).

And shall bury the body, if not claimed by friends, at public expense (R. L., sec. 2,456).

And may direct a chemical analysis and microscopical examination of body (R. L., sec. 2,469).

Superintendents or wardens of penitentiary, houses of correction, insane asylums, poor-houses, and coroners, sheriffs, city and county undertakers, having charge of a body required to be buried at public expense, shall deliver the same to medical college for dissection unless claimed by relatives or friends, and trafficking in such bodies is a misdemeanor (R. L., sec. 6,883 et seq.).

Concealing birth of child, so that it may not be known whether it was born alive or dead, is a felony (R. L., sec. 3,479).

Removal of dead body from grave without authority (except that of criminal executed for crime), for purpose of sale, etc., or receiving such body knowingly, is a felony (R. L., secs. 3,842, 3,845).

Montana.

Concealing birth of child which, if born alive, would be a bastard, is punishable (Crim. Laws, sec. 41).

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Gen. Laws, secs. 869, 883).

And bury body at public expense if not claimed by relatives, etc. (Gen. Laws, sec. 881).

Removal, etc., of dead body from grave without authority, and for the purpose of sale or dissection, or from wantonness, is a felony (Laws, 1889, p. 114).

Nebraska.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Consol. Stat., sec. 3,130 et seq.).

To bury body if not claimed by friends (Consol. Stat., sec. 3,144).

Removal of body from grave without authority for sale, dissection, etc., is punishable (Consol. Stat., sec. 5,847).

Fœticide is punishable (Consol. Stat., sec. 5,582).

Bodies of paupers or criminals unclaimed by friends or relatives may be delivered to medical college or physician for dissection, etc., and such body shall not be transported out of State (Consol. Stat., secs. 3,299, 3,301, 5,848).

Nevada.

Justice of peace to hold inquest, etc. (Gen. Stat., sec. 2,256 et seq.).

And cause the body to be buried at public expense (Gen. Stat., sec. 2,269).

Body shall not be buried without certificate of physician or coroner (Gen. Stat., sec. 4,872 et seq.).

Body shall not be transported out of State without a permit (Gen. Stat., secs. 4,870, 4,871).

Concealing birth of child which, if born alive, would be a bastard, is punishable (Gen. Stat., sec. 4,597).

Non-resident, et al., to be buried at public expense (Gen. Stat., sec. 1,986).

New Hampshire.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Pub. Stat., ch. 262, sec. 1 et seq.).

And bury body if a stranger, at public expense (Pub. Stat., ch. 262, sec. 16).

Concealing birth of child which, if born alive, would be a bastard, is punishable (Pub. Stat., ch. 278, sec. 14).

Body of person dying in a county, city, or town, or State prison or jail, required to be buried at public expense, shall be delivered to any physician or medical college for dissection, etc., unless deceased requested to be buried, or friends claimed it or request burial, or deceased was a stranger or traveller who died suddenly (Pub. Stat., ch. 136).

Body not to be buried without permit or disinterred (Pub. Stat., ch. 173, sec. 6).

Removal of dead body without authority, or concealing it, knowing it to have been so dug up, is punishable (Pub. Stat., ch. 266, sec. 7).

New Jersey.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Rev. Stat., p. 170 et seq.).

And bury body if not claimed by friends (Rev. Stat., p. 170, sec. 5).

Concealing birth of child which, if born alive, would be a bastard, is a misdemeanor (Rev. Stat., p. 241, sec. 83).

Body of executed criminal may be delivered to physician, etc., for dissection unless claimed by relatives (Rev. Stat., p. 239, sec. 69).

Removal of a body without authority for sale, dissection, etc., is a high misdemeanor (Rev. Stat., p. 249, sec. 122).

Exposing body of an executed murderer is a misdemeanor (Supp. Rev. Stat., p. 194, sec. 19).

Body must not be buried without a permit; nor body brought into the State without permit; nor taken out of State without permit (Laws, 1888, ch. 39, secs. 5-8).

New Mexico.

Justice of the peace to hold inquest, etc. (Comp. Laws, sec. 443 et seq.).

And bury the body (Comp. Laws, sec. 447).

Body of one dying of a contagious disease shall not be carried in an open coffin, or be exposed (Laws, 1889, ch. 79, sec. 8).

Body shall not be buried within fifty yards of running stream (Laws, 1891, ch. 93).

New York.

Duty of burial, etc. (Pen. Code, sec. 305 et seq.).

Attempt at sexual intercourse with dead body is a crime against nature (Pen. Code, sec. 303).

Transfer of body of one who died of a contagious or infectious disease shall be in hermetically sealed casket (Laws, 1893, ch. 661, sec. 23).

Bodies of those dying in, or in custody of managers, etc., of any prison, asylum, morgue, hospital, or in possession of undertakers, shall be delivered to medical college of this State, etc., for purpose of medical study, unless claimed by relatives or friends, or friends or relatives do not assent to such disposal, or deceased requested during last illness to be buried (Laws, 1893, ch. 661, sec. 207).

In certain cases bodies of convicts, unless claimed, shall be delivered to certain medical colleges (R. S., pt. 4, ch. 3, secs. 132, 133).

District attorney may cause body to be exhumed, examined, etc. (Pen. Code, sec. 308).

North Carolina.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Code, sec. 657).

Concealing birth of child, by burying dead body, is a misdemeanor. Opening grave without authority for purpose of taking body is a felony (Laws, 1885, ch. 90).

Coroner may order a chemical analysis of remains (Laws, 1887, ch. 269).

Dead body of convict, unclaimed by friends, shall be delivered to medical college except such dying of contagious disease (Laws, 1891, ch. 129).

Body of one dying of contagious disease must not be transported by common carrier until disinfected, nor shall permit for removal be issued until such disinfection (Laws, 1893, ch. 214, sec. 16).

North Dakota.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Comp. Laws, sec. 664 et seq.).

And bury the body if not claimed by friends, etc. (Comp. Laws, sec. 676).

Concealing birth of child which, if born alive, would be a bastard, or of child dying within two years after birth, is punishable (Comp. Laws, sec. 6,947).

Comp. Laws.
Sec.6,549same as305N. Y. P. C.
”6,550”306 ”
”6,551”307”
”6,552”308(1-3)”
”6,553”309 ”
”6,554”310”
”6,559”311”
”6,560”312”
”6,563”314”

Duty of burial of married woman, on husband. If not married woman, on nearest of kin who is an adult or has means sufficient (Comp. Laws, sec. 6,556).

Refusal to bury by one on whom duty is imposed by law, a misdemeanor (Comp. Laws, sec. 6,557).

Custody of body pertains to one whose duty it is to bury (Comp. Laws, sec. 6,558).

When cemetery is by law changed to other place, duty is on relative to move body (Comp. Laws, sec. 6,562).

Body of executed criminal, and those dying in State penitentiary or county jail under sentence, shall be delivered to medical college or any physician for dissection, unless deceased requested to be buried, or friends ask to have it buried, or deceased was a stranger or traveller (Laws, 1890, ch. 92).

Ohio.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (R. L., sec. 1,221 et seq.).

And bury body, etc. (R. L., sec. 1,227).

Body of pauper or unknown, not an inmate of any penal, charitable, or reformatory institution, and not claimed by relative or delivered for dissection according to law, shall be buried at public expense (Laws, 1890, p. 283).

Corpse shall not be conveyed to or from a city without a permit (R. L., sec. 2,119).

Bodies of those dying in city hospitals, city or county infirmaries, work-houses, asylums, charitable institutions, penitentiaries, or jails, which are required to be buried at public expense, shall be delivered to medical college or society for study, etc., unless claimed by relative, or deceased was a stranger or traveller (except tramps) (R. L., sec. 3,763).

Removing body from grave without authority for dissection or receiving such body is punishable (R. L., sec. 7,034).

Body of executed criminal, if not claimed by relative or friends, may be delivered for dissection, etc. (R. L., sec. 7,343, 1).

Oklahoma.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Stat., sec. 1,745 et seq.).

And bury the body at public expense if not claimed by relatives (Stat., sec. 1,759).

Concealing birth of issue which, if born alive, etc., or dying within two years after birth, is punishable (Stat., sec. 2,179).

2,188-2,190same as305-307N. Y. P. C.
2,191”308”(except subd. 4)
2,192-2,193”309-310”
2,198”311”(ex. punishment)
2,199”312”
2,202”314”

Custody is in him whose duty it is to bury (Stat., secs. 21, 97).

Duty of burial of married woman, on husband; if not married woman, on nearest of kin who is an adult and has sufficient means (Stat., sec. 2,195).

Refusal to bury by one on whom duty rests, is a misdemeanor (Stat., sec. 2,196).

Oregon.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Crim. Code, sec. 453 et seq.).

And bury body if not claimed by friends (Crim. Code, sec. 462).

Unmarried woman concealing birth of child so that it may not be known whether it was born alive or not, is punishable (Crim. Code, sec. 649).

Bodies of criminals executed, those dying in hospitals, insane asylums, alms-houses, or penitentiaries, may be delivered to medical college or physician for dissection, etc., unless they shall have been interred, or claimed by relatives, or relatives and friends do not consent, or deceased expressed a wish to be buried; and they shall be used for such purpose only and in this State (Hill’s Am. Laws, sec. 3,730 et seq.).

Removal of body without authority, etc., is punishable (Crim. Code, sec. 656).

Pennsylvania.

Coroner to hold inquest in Philadelphia County only in case of a violent death (Bright Pen. Dig., 1536, sec. 37).

And may in Berks and Lancaster Counties order a post mortem (Bright Pen. Dig., 1536, sec. 38).

Concealing death of child which, if born alive, would be a bastard, is punishable (Bright Pen. Dig., 431, sec. 158).

Removal of body from grave without authority is a misdemeanor (Bright Pen. Dig., 229, sec. 11).

Bodies of those dying in alms-house, hospital, prison, or public institution, or those in morgue, which are required to be buried at public expense, shall be delivered to medical college, physician, etc., to be used for scientific purposes only, unless claimed by relatives or deceased was a traveller, and trafficking in such bodies is a misdemeanor (Bright Pen. Dig., p. 9, sec. 1 et seq.).

Rhode Island.

Concealing death of child which, if born alive, would be a bastard, so that it may not be known, etc., is punishable (Pub. Stat., ch. 244, sec. 8).

Seizing dead body under execution is punishable (Pub. Stat., ch. 223, sec. 2).

Bodies of those dying in jail shall, if not claimed by relatives, be buried at public expense (Pub. Stat., ch. 201, sec. 30).

Medical examiner to make autopsy (Pub. Stat., 1884, ch. 420).

And bury body of stranger at State expense if necessary (Pub. Laws, 1884, ch. 420, sec. 24).

Coroner to hold inquest if, in opinion of medical examiner, death was caused by act of some one other than deceased (Pub. Laws, 1884, ch. 420, sec. 17).

South Carolina.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (R. L., secs. 711, 2,664 et seq.).

And may have body disinterred for inquisition (R. L., sec. 2,687).

Tennessee.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Code, sec. 6,139 et seq.).

And may order a chemical analysis of remains, etc. (Code, sec. 6,150).

Body to be buried, if not claimed by relatives, etc., at public expense if necessary (Code, sec. 6,160).

Wilfully and improperly exposing or abandoning a dead body is a misdemeanor (Code, sec. 5,658).

Removing or purchasing dead bodies without authority is a misdemeanor (Code, secs. 5,659, 5,660).

Body of deceased convict to be buried unless claimed by friends (Code, sec. 6,402).

Texas.

Justice of the peace to hold inquest, etc. (Code Crim. P., art. 988 et seq.).

And may disinter the body for such inquisition (Code Crim. P., art. 989).

Removal, etc., of dead body from grave without authority is punishable (Code, art. 345).

Bodies of convicts to be buried (Rev. C. Stat., art. 3,561).

Vermont.

Justice of the peace to hold inquest, etc. (Rev. Laws, sec. 3,934 et seq.).

Removal, etc., of dead body without authority, is punishable (Rev. Laws, secs. 4,194, 4,196).

Bodies of those dying in poor-house or other public institution, which are required to be buried at public expense, may be delivered to any physician for dissection, etc., unless deceased requested to be buried, or friends or relations request burial, or deceased was a stranger or traveller. Such body shall not be removed from State, and shall be used for scientific purposes only (Laws, 1884, ch. 85).

Virginia.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Code, sec. 3,938 et seq.).

And to bury the body at public expense (Code, sec. 3,946).

Removal, etc., of dead body from grave without authority, is punishable (Code, sec. 3,794).

Bodies of those dying on vessels in State, shall be buried by master on the shore above high-water mark (Code, sec. 2,002).

Bodies of those dying in alms-house, prison, morgue, hospital, jail, or other public institution, which are required to be buried at public expense, and bodies of criminals executed for crime shall be delivered to medical college, etc., and physician or surgeon for anatomical study, unless (except criminals) relatives and friends claim the body or deceased was a stranger or traveller; and such bodies shall not be sent out of the State (Code, ch. 80).

Washington.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Hill’s Am. Stat., vol. 1, sec. 245 et seq.).

And bury body, if not claimed by friends, at public expense (Hill’s Am. Stat., vol. 1, sec. 257).

Bodies of those dying in poor-house, public hospital, county jail, State prison, etc., which are required to be buried at public expense, shall be delivered to medical college, physician, surgeon, etc., for study, unless deceased requested to be buried, or it is claimed by friends or relatives, or deceased was a stranger or traveller; and such body shall be used only in the State (Hill’s Am. Stat., vol. 1, sec. 2,428 et seq.).

Removal, etc., of body from the grave without authority is punishable (Pen. Code, sec. 208).

West Virginia.

Coroner to hold inquest, etc. (Code, ch. 154).

And bury the body at public expense, or if of a stranger, may forward it to its destination or bury it (Code, ch. 154, sec. 8).

Removal, etc., of a body from grave is punishable (Code, ch. 149, sec. 13).

Wisconsin.

Justice of the peace or coroner to hold inquest, etc. (S. & B. Am. Stat., ch. 200).

And shall cause the body to be buried at public expense (S. & B. Am. Stat., ch. 200, sec. 4,877).

Dead body of convict shall, if not claimed by relatives or friends, be buried (S. & B. Am. Stat., sec. 4,926).

Removal, etc., of body from grave without authority is punishable (S. & B. Am. Stat., sec. 4,592).

Concealing death of child which, if born alive, would be a bastard, is punishable (S. & B. Am. Stat., sec. 4,585).

A public officer having in his charge a body required to be buried at public expense, shall deliver same to member of State or county medical society, etc., for anatomical study, unless claimed by relatives, or they consent to such disposal, or deceased requested to be buried, or was a stranger or traveller (S. & B. Am. Stat., sec. 1,437).

THE POWERS AND DUTIES

OF

CORONERS AND MEDICAL EXAMINERS.

BY

AUGUST BECKER,

Of the Buffalo (N. Y.) Bar.

THE POWERS AND DUTIES

OF

CORONERS AND MEDICAL EXAMINERS.

BY

AUGUST BECKER,

Of the Buffalo (N. Y.) Bar.