Law against exploitation of the deceased

[Student 1]

What is the name of your state? Nebraska

Looking to see if there is a law written for this situation.

For instance, there is a high profile case where a young girl is murdered. A few days later, someone collects the maggots that was feeding on her remains and tries to sell them over the internet. He also extracts the blood from the guts of the maggots and tries to sell it also. Is there such a law against exploiting a person in this way?

Student

 

[dallas702]

As sick as this is, there are issues here.

First, was the case resolved and ended as far as trial/conviction, etc.?

Second, were the maggots gathered from the murder scene or anywhere else that they could be considered evidence? If so, the grazer/lowlife/seller could be criminally liable. Civily? Probably not, but each state has its own laws regarding the disposal of corpses, evidence, etc. I suggest that any person who would try this should be made to eat those maggots. Then, he could sell the video of himself being a rat.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

What is the name of your state? Nebraska

Looking to see if there is a law written for this situation.

For instance, there is a high profile case where a young girl is murdered. A few days later, someone collects the maggots that was feeding on her remains and tries to sell them over the internet. He also extracts the blood from the guts of the maggots and tries to sell it also. Is there such a law against exploiting a person in this way?

Student

Aside from the WONDERFUL legal advice you receive, there is NO LAW that forbids such a practice.

 

[Veronica1228]

LOL!!! How would maggots be evidence? Were they the murder weapon? What a way to go!!!

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

This type of thing has gone on for centuries. There's nothing illegal about it. Private citizens, as well as law enforcement themselves, have displayed bodies, parts, blood, etc., even in the most celebrated of cases.

You'll recall, if you know anything about history, and of the 1920's and '30's "gangster era", people were dipping their handkerchiefs in the blood of John Dillinger. People were cutting strands of hair from Bonnie Parker. They took pieces of clothing off of Clyde Barrow, too. And this, while their bodies were still warm. Law enforcement, themselves, typically displayed the bodies of the most notorious of criminals for public view. It even happens to this day.

So, no. Taking maggots is not unusual, nor illegal. The study of maggots found on a body only tell how long a body has been dead, based upon the pupa stage of the maggots.

IAAL

 

[dallas702]

Well, laws have changed a lot since Bonnie & Clyde, and since maggots are used in forensic investigation i would pretty much guarantee they are considered part of the evidence just like fingerprints, footprints, etc. All of which would result in prosecution if removed from the scene of a crime.

But you're welcome to try it and find out. Personally, I'd spend a few minutes and ask the police first.

 

[racer72]

I would like to see a certicate of authenticity before I bought any celebrity maggots. Or you could start your own body farm and harvest your own.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Well, laws have changed a lot since Bonnie & Clyde, and since maggots are used in forensic investigation i would pretty much guarantee they are considered part of the evidence just like fingerprints, footprints, etc. All of which would result in prosecution if removed from the scene of a crime.

But you're welcome to try it and find out. Personally, I'd spend a few minutes and ask the police first.

And this answer shows your entire lack of legal knowledge. I guess asking a police officer a LEGAL question is the same as asking a Mechanic about your next thyroid operation.

At least you're consistent.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Well, laws have changed a lot since Bonnie & Clyde, and since maggots are used in forensic investigation i would pretty much guarantee they are considered part of the evidence just like fingerprints, footprints, etc. All of which would result in prosecution if removed from the scene of a crime.

But you're welcome to try it and find out. Personally, I'd spend a few minutes and ask the police first.

My response:

Really? The removal of maggots "would result in prosecution if removed from the scene of a crime? Really?

Prove it.

Oh, and by the way, would that be "before" or "after" a dead body and the surrounding area was declared a "crime scene" by the police authority?

IAAL

 

[dallas702]

Racer; LOL!

Beliz; I wasn't talking about asking a police officer (obvious to a thinking person). The "police" have people who specialize in forensics (duh), and they know what is considered evidence and what is not. How is my answer any more ignorant than yours? You and Liable seem to have the same legal theory about everything: put yourself at risk because YOU don't know of any "law" that says you can't do something, but don't waste time taking legal action against others (no matter how much the damages) because YOU think it's too much bother.

So, as I said before to Student: Go for it...do whatever you want. Only this time, don't bother to ask anyone who REALLY knows what might happen. Hey...it's only your life.

Or, do what Racer says. I know it was tongue in cheek, but you could make a few bucks selling fake maggots, and whose going to challenge it (certainly no one coming to these boards for advice).

 

[Student 1]

Thank you for your responses

Thank you for your ideas and advice.

Student