Disposal of anatomical specimens

In cases where cremation is not possible, it is permissible to dispose of anatomical specimens, former anatomical specimens and body parts, whether imported or not, by incineration, providing they are disposed of separately from other clinical waste.

Generally, anatomical specimens, former anatomical specimens and body parts will be incinerated by a local incineration facility. It is good practice for staff at HTA-licensed establishments to agree the acceptance criteria for relevant material with their local incineration facility as part of any disposal agreements.

It may be that staff at HTA-licensed establishments are required to reduce the size of relevant material prior to it being sent for disposal by incineration. We expect staff at HTA-licensed establishments to develop relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs) supporting the process for preparing, documenting and transporting specimens and body parts for incineration.

Imported material should be disposed of in accordance with the consent given by the donor. We expect Designated Individuals (DIs) to scrutinise any agreements with suppliers of imported material to ensure that they are acting lawfully and in accordance with any consent given by the donor. If an agreement stipulates cremation as the only method of disposal, and only incineration will be possible, we advise that the DI should first clarify with the supplier whether the meaning of the word cremation in the agreement is consistent with the definition of cremation in the UK. If so, the DI should not accept the relevant material as the wishes of the deceased could not be met.

Definitions

What does the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) mean by the terms ‘anatomical examination’ and ‘education or training relating to human health’?

These are separate scheduled purposes under the Human Tissue Act 2004 (HT Act).

‘Anatomical examination’ is defined in the HT Act as 'macroscopic examination by dissection for anatomical purposes', for which anatomical purposes are defined as: 'purposes of teaching or studying, or researching into, the gross structure of the human body'.

What does the HTA mean by the terms ‘anatomical specimen’ and ‘former anatomical specimen’?

The HT Act defines an ‘anatomical specimen’ as:

the body of a deceased person to be used for the purpose of anatomical examination; or
the body of a deceased person in the course of being used for the purpose of anatomical examination (including separated parts of such a body).

'Former anatomical specimens' are not defined in the HT Act. The HTA defines a former anatomical specimen as: 'An organ or body part donated for anatomical examination which is retained once the examination of the rest of the body has been completed'.

The HT Act defines an ‘anatomical specimen’ as:

the body of a deceased person to be used for the purpose of anatomical examination; or
the body of a deceased person in the course of being used for the purpose of anatomical examination (including separated parts of such a body).

'Former anatomical specimens' are not defined in the HT Act. The HTA defines a former anatomical specimen as: 'An organ or body part donated for anatomical examination which is retained once the examination of the rest of the body has been completed'.

What does the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) mean by the terms ‘anatomical examination’ and ‘education or training relating to human health’?

These are separate scheduled purposes under the Human Tissue Act 2004 (HT Act).

‘Anatomical examination’ is defined in the HT Act as 'macroscopic examination by dissection for anatomical purposes', for which anatomical purposes are defined as: 'purposes of teaching or studying, or researching into, the gross structure of the human body'.

What does the HTA mean by the terms ‘anatomical specimen’ and ‘former anatomical specimen’?

The HT Act defines an ‘anatomical specimen’ as:

the body of a deceased person to be used for the purpose of anatomical examination; or
the body of a deceased person in the course of being used for the purpose of anatomical examination (including separated parts of such a body).

'Former anatomical specimens' are not defined in the HT Act. The HTA defines a former anatomical specimen as: 'An organ or body part donated for anatomical examination which is retained once the examination of the rest of the body has been completed'.

The HT Act defines an ‘anatomical specimen’ as:

the body of a deceased person to be used for the purpose of anatomical examination; or
the body of a deceased person in the course of being used for the purpose of anatomical examination (including separated parts of such a body).

'Former anatomical specimens' are not defined in the HT Act. The HTA defines a former anatomical specimen as: 'An organ or body part donated for anatomical examination which is retained once the examination of the rest of the body has been completed'.

General questions

I'm a clinical anatomist. In relation to the retention and disposal of former anatomical specimens, I was under the impression that the HTA endorses the concept of 'one third of a body'. Am I correct?

No. Although the term may be used by some staff working at anatomy establishments, the concept of 'one third of a body' has no legal status under the HT Act and is not used by the HTA. Independent of the HTA, professional guidelines have been drawn up by the Anatomy Associations Advisory Committee (AAAC ) and are available on the websites of the three professional bodies which comprise the committee, namely: the Anatomical Society (AS), the British Association of Clinical Anatomists (BACA) and the Institute of Anatomical Sciences (IAS).

The HTA's codes of practice and other guidance should, however, be used as the definitive source of information for issues within our remit. If you are in any doubt, please contact the HTA.

No. Although the term may be used by some staff working at anatomy establishments, the concept of 'one third of a body' has no legal status under the HT Act and is not used by the HTA. Independent of the HTA, professional guidelines have been drawn up by the Anatomy Associations Advisory Committee (AAAC ) and are available on the websites of the three professional bodies which comprise the committee, namely: the Anatomical Society (AS), the British Association of Clinical Anatomists (BACA) and the Institute of Anatomical Sciences (IAS).

The HTA's codes of practice and other guidance should, however, be used as the definitive source of information for issues within our remit. If you are in any doubt, please contact the HTA.

Do anatomical specimens, former anatomical specimens and body parts have to be incinerated or can they be cremated?

Cremation may be viewed as a more dignified or respectful method of incineration. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, two different sets of regulations govern the process of cremation: the Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2008 and the Cremation (Belfast) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1961. Both sets of cremation regulations are outside of the remit of the HTA but fall within that of the Ministry of Justice.

Does the HTA prohibit the incineration of specific body parts, such as heads?

The HT Act does not reference a method of disposal according to the type or size of the specimen or relevant material.

It is good practice for staff at HTA licensed establishments to agree the acceptance criteria for relevant material with their local incineration facility as part of any disposal agreements. It may be that staff at HTA licensed establishments are required to further prepare relevant material prior to it being sent for disposal by incineration.