Is it legal?

Many a private curio collection or wunderkammer is home to a skull or two (or several in the likes of Ryan Matthew Cohn). Those that fear receiving uninvited attention from the boys in blue (Old school term for the police) if they buy a skull or another human body part should worry not. In the UK it is perfectly legal to own human remains.

Skull in private ownership

The Human Tissue Authority are the governing body on all things, you guessed it, human tissue related. There is section 32 of the HT Act which covers “controlled material” this relates to material or cells removed from the body for transplant purposes. Violators of section 32 will be greatly fined and/or imprisoned.

For the sale of whole bodies, bits of bodies or just tissue for other purposes the HTA has no actual say on the matter. Unlike the USA, in the UK the legal system outlines what is illegal or not permitted. As there is no ruling to say that the sale and ownership of human remains is illegal, it is by definition legal.

Skulls on stands

There is of course a caveat to legally owning human remains. Section 4 of the HT act does specify that the public display of human tissue is subject to licensing by the HTA and strict legal requirements. Breach of section 4 will result in imprisonment of a fine.

It is advised that professional standards should be adhered to when displaying the human remains for sale. The HTA also advise sellers and buyers to consider the appropriateness if ownership during the sale.