The Anatomy Regulations 1988

Examination and disposal of bodies and care of parts of bodies

4.—(1) Except in relation to a body to which paragraph (3) of this regulation applies, a person to whom a licence has been granted under section 3(2) of the Act shall ensure that —

(a) as soon as practicable after a body is received at the place where anatomical examination is to take place the body is subjected to a suitable process for its preservation;

(b) a body is held in possession only for such period as an adequate state of preservation of the body is maintained;

(c) all bodies in his possession are stored in an orderly and hygienic manner in suitably designed rooms equipped with adequate facilities for regulating temperatures;

(d) where an anatomical examination is carried out by a person who is authorised to carry out the examination by virtue of section 3(3)(b) of the Act, (in this paragraph referred to as “the authorised person”) the authorised person is adequately supervised by a person who is licensed under section 3(2)(a) of the Act unless the authorised person is sufficiently qualified and trained to carry out anatomical examinations in an orderly and efficient manner without such supervision;

(e) after anatomical examination of a body has been concluded its disposal shall, so far as practicable, be in accordance with any wishes expressed by the deceased or any surviving spouse or surviving relative of his and that separated parts of the body, other than those parts which are held in possession by virtue of section 6 of the Act, are, so far as practicable, disposed of with the body from which they were removed.

(2) Except in relation to a body to which paragraph (3) of this regulation applies, a person to whom a licence has been granted under section 5(5) of the Act shall ensure that parts of bodies the possession of which is lawful by virtue of section 6 of the Act are stored in an orderly and hygienic manner in suitably designed rooms equipped with adequate facilities for regulating temperatures.

(3) This regulation shall not apply in relation to the body of a person who died before the coming into force of these Regulations.