19Period that body may be retained for anatomical examination

19 Period that body may be retained for anatomical examination

(1)  A body of a deceased person that has been accepted for anatomical examination under section 14 may be retained for –

(a) if the consent form does not indicate a period, 5 years after the day on which the Head of Faculty accepts the body; or

(b) if the consent form indicates a specific period, that specific period; or

(c) if the consent form indicates an indefinite period, an indefinite period.

(2)  A period referred to in subsection (1)(a) or (b) may be extended either for a fixed or indefinite period, if –

(a) the Head of Faculty and the next of kin of the deceased person, by instrument in writing, jointly consent to the extension; or

(b) the Secretary, by instrument in writing, consents to the extension.

(3)  However, the Secretary may only consent under subsection (2)(b) if, after making reasonable inquiries, he or she is satisfied that –

(a) the deceased person had no next of kin; or

(b) a next of kin of the deceased person cannot be found.

(4)  If the period for which a body may be retained is extended under subsection (2) , the Head of Faculty is to enter particulars of the extension in the register.