Current through the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 611-B:18 - Retention and Disposal of Organs, Unidentified Remains, Body Fragments, and Body FluidsI. Except as provided in RSA 227-C:8-a through RSA 227-C:8-g, whenever unidentified human skeletal remains are recovered, the chief medical examiner may store the remains, release them to an educational institution, direct that they be interred in an appropriate resting place, or have them cremated in accordance with RSA 325-A. Ashes of remains cremated shall be disposed of in an appropriate manner. Human skeletal remains recovered in a cared-for cemetery shall not be subject to the provisions of this paragraph.II. The chief medical examiner or a designated pathologist may retain body tissues or body fluids for evidence, further study, documentation, or research. Subject to RSA 651-D:3, body tissue or body fluids retained for such purposes, or those which have been recovered after the body has been released from the custody of the medical examiner, may, unless claimed in writing by the person responsible for burial, be disposed of: (a) According to the practices of the laboratory responsible for analysis;(b) By the office of the chief medical examiner; or(c) By the medical examiner or pathologist retaining those tissues or fluids.III. Subject to RSA 651-D:3, the chief medical examiner may dispose of substantial body tissues that have been retained for evidence, further study, or documentation or that have been recovered after the rest of the body has been finally released, in accordance with paragraph I, unless claimed by the person responsible for burial. 2007, 324 : 1 , eff. Sept. 14, 2007.