N.Y. Public Health Law § 4214: Cadavers; autopsy by order of hospital authorities

§ 4214. Cadavers; autopsy by order of hospital authorities. 1. The

director or person having lawful control and management of any hospital

in which a patient has died may order the performance of an autopsy upon

the body of such deceased person, after first giving notice of the death

to the next of kin of such person, unless the body is claimed or

objection is made to such autopsy by the next of kin within forty-eight

hours after death, or within twenty-four hours after such notice of

death. In no case shall an autopsy or dissection be performed upon any

body within forty-eight hours after death, unless a written consent or

directive therefor has been received from the person or persons legally

entitled to consent to or order such autopsy or dissection. Except as

required by law, no dissection or autopsy shall be performed on the body

of any person who is carrying an identification card upon his person

indicating his opposition to such dissection or autopsy.

2. In the case of an unclaimed body of a deceased person, the medical

colleges, schools, institutes and universities shall have a priority

claim to the said body, for the purposes of medical, anatomical or

surgical science and study as provided in this article.