Who owns found property?

Question

I read recently, that a man and his son, while looking in a public woods for deer antlers, found a skeleton of a human. 
1)  Who own that skeleton?  
2)  If the skeleton was that of a bear, could this father son team claim ownership?   
     2a)   If so, why not that of an abandon human skeleton?

Victorian literature is replete with people having human skeleton in their homes, often times skeletons of their deceased family members. 
3)   Can one keep a family skeleton today?
     3a)  If not when was the law changed?  Why?  

I guess the general question is: 

4)   Is a human corpse property and does the family or finders have a property ownership right?

Thomas T · Accepted Answer

I would expect that every state in the US has statutes enacted by the legislatures that provide for proper disposition of human remains.  There would be provisions for keeping the cremated remains of a loved one on your fireplace mantel or for medical schools keeping human skeletons (or bodies) for educational purposes. To be sure, you would need to look up the specific laws of your jurisdiction. If a skeleton were found in the woods, it would be a police matter, at least in the first instance. Any unattended death has to be investigated and the body identified. After that the remains are generally turned over to a funeral home or cremation society for further disposition.

just me · Answer

The skeleton would be the propery of the police. They should determine if the skeleton is one of a missing person or one of foul play. If the identity is determined then the family would decide where to bury the remains. No I don't believe anyone has the right to keep anyone's skeleton in their home. That would be against the law. Abuse of a corpse.

? · Answer

The skeleton would be the property of the family of the person. I'm believe that there are actually few laws that regulate human skeletal remains, meaning that you could own them without a problem (provided they were not medically dangerous). The problem remains, however, that the police would need to be notified. If no crime was involved, and no family could be located to claim the remains, I would think that it's conceivable that they could be turned over to whoever found them.

KarenL · Answer

Neither a lawyer nor play one on TV but  I do not think is considered actually property.  I think home crypts have been outlawed IMO for religious reasons.

I found this via Google

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/corpse

I do not know how accurate it is --- but it was free.

I think SkullsUnlimited.com could help.    My Uncle told me that Fisher Scientific used to sell skeletons in the 1950-1960 for about $300 --- most came from India

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Who owns found property?

4 Answers