§ 4045. — Authority to conduct autopsies.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC4045]
TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART III--PRISONS AND PRISONERS
CHAPTER 303--BUREAU OF PRISONS
Sec. 4045. Authority to conduct autopsies
A chief executive officer of a Federal penal or correctional
facility may, pursuant to rules prescribed by the Director, order an
autopsy and related scientific or medical tests to be performed on the
body of a deceased inmate of the facility in the event of homicide,
suicide, fatal illness or accident, or unexplained death, when it is
determined that such autopsy or test is necessary to detect a crime,
maintain discipline, protect the health or safety of other inmates,
remedy official misconduct, or defend the United States or its employees
from civil liability arising from the administration of the facility. To
the extent consistent with the needs of the autopsy or of specific
scientific or medical tests, provisions of State and local law
protecting religious beliefs with respect to such autopsies shall be
observed. Such officer may also order an autopsy or post-mortem
operation, including removal of tissue for transplanting, to be
performed on the body of a deceased inmate of the facility, with the
written consent of a person authorized to permit such an autopsy or
post-mortem operation under the law of the State in which the facility
is located.
(Added Pub. L. 99-646, Sec. 67(a), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3616.)
