Delaware Code Title 16 Sec. 2707 – Postmortem examination only by physicians; liability; consent
(a) No postmortem examination of the body of a deceased person shall be conducted by any person other than a duly licensed doctor of medicine or osteopathy. Written or telegraphic consent for a doctor of medicine or osteopathy to conduct a postmortem examination of the body of the deceased person shall be deemed sufficient when given by whichever 1 of the following assumes custody of the body for the purpose of burial: Father, mother, husband, wife, child, guardian, next of kin or, in absence of any of the foregoing, a person who assumes the duty of legal disposal of the body. If 2 or more such persons assume custody of the body, consent of 1 of them who is legally considered as the next of kin shall be deemed sufficient.
Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 16 Sec. 2707
- Child: means a person who has not reached the age of 18 years. See Delaware Code Title 1 Sec. 302
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
(b) The licensed physician conducting the postmortem examination shall not be liable in damages for any action taken in making such postmortem examination.
24 Del. C. 1953, § ?1777; 56 Del. Laws, c. 429, § ?2; 65 Del. Laws, c. 487, § ?2;