What is the time frame in which unclaimed bodies fall under the jurisdiction of the human gifts registry?

In Pennsylvania, unclaimed bodies are administered by the human gifts registry after a specific period defined by law. According to the regulations surrounding the disposition of unclaimed remains, the time frame is set at 36 hours. This period allows law enforcement, funeral directors, and any other responsible parties to establish the status of a body and to make necessary arrangements for its identification and final disposition.

Once the 36-hour period has elapsed, if the deceased's body remains unclaimed, it falls under the jurisdiction of the human gifts registry, which facilitates the use of unclaimed bodies for educational or scientific purposes. This structured time frame helps ensure that efforts are made to identify the deceased and notify any potential next of kin or interested parties before the body can be repurposed in the context of medical education or research. This concept aligns with ethical, legal, and public health considerations.

Other time frames mentioned in the choices either do not align with the established legal standard or provide inappropriate durations that could hinder proper identification and family notification processes. Thus, 36 hours is the appropriate period recognized by the law for moving unclaimed bodies to the human gifts registry.