HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY COMMISSION
POLICY BULLETIN NO . 58
WEST VIRGINIA ANATOMICAL BOARD
APPENDIX A:  RULES AND REGULATIONS

Institutions and individuals using human bodies for scientific study, as authorized by state statutes, are required thereby to comply with the Rules and Regulations prescribed by the West Virginia Anatomical Board. The West Virginia Anatomical Board shall meet at least annually to review its Rules and Regulations, elect its chairman, and make appointments. Advance public notice through the news media shall be given for all regularly scheduled meetings of the Board and for all special meetings except for an emergency requiring immediate official action.

The Rules and Regulations prescribed by the West Virginia Anatomical Board apply to the use of all bodies, whether requisitioned by the West Virginia Anatomical Board or donated under the provisions of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (W. Va. Code §16-19). It is noted that two (2) general categories of dead human bodies are recognized by state statutes: First, those which are requisitioned by the West Virginia Anatomical Board (for example, certain bodies that must be buried at public expense) and second, those donated under the provisions of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act to the West Virginia Anatomical Board for utilization in scientific or medical research or education. Institutions utilizing human bodies of either category must designate a person at the institution, acceptable by the board, who will assume responsibility for assuring full compliance with the following Rules and Regulations. A written copy of such assurance, designating the name of the responsible person and signed by the chief officer of that institution, is to be submitted to the board prior to usage of human bodies. Authorized individuals who are not associated with institutions must submit written assurance of compliance with these Rules and Regulations prior to usage of a human body or bodies.

1. All human bodies used by an authorized institution or individual for scientific study must be channeled through the West Virginia Anatomical Board prior to usage of the body or bodies. This may be carried out by direct correspondence and does not necessarily require that the body itself be delivered to the board. All bodies under the jurisdiction of the West Virginia Anatomical Board are to be numbered using a single numbering system administered by the Secretary of the board.



2. All bodies donated for scientific or medical study at an authorized institution or by an authorized person (for example, not requisitioned by the board) require a properly signed and witnessed Donor Registration or Donation and Release Form. At the time of delivery of the body to such institution or person, a copy of the Death Certificate and Donor Card or Donation and Release Form shall be forwarded to the board.



3. Postnatal bodies delivered to institutions or to authorized individuals require a Burial-Transit Permit if delivery of the body is made from outside the county in which that institution or other authorized recipient is located. Within a county, a permit is not ordinarily required if the Death Certificate stipulates that the institution or authorized individual is to receive the body. If the body, or any part of the body, or the ashes is removed to any other location, within or outside the county, a Disinterment-Reinterment Permit is then required at the time of removal. Modes of transportation must be appropriate in consideration of the dignity of the human body.



4. Following the usage of a body or bodies, it is the responsibility of the institution or authorized individual utilizing the body to properly dispose of the remains by cremation, unless some other proper manner of disposal is agreed upon by correspondence with the board. Postnatal bodies must be cremated individually. A suitable crematory other than that used for animal remains is required. Ashes from each postnatal body must be interred in an identified, individual container in a manner that ensures dignity and respect. Upon request by the next-of-kin at the time of donation, ashes will be delivered as a courtesy and not as a lawful obligation to the next-of-kin in a suitable container using a proper mode of delivery. In all respects, the feelings and the concern of the family will be given reasonable consideration.



5. A body may be donated to a specific institution. However, while reasonable efforts will be made to consider such requests of the donor, the board may, in its discretion, authorize the use of the body or any part thereof by any authorized institution or person. A body or any part of a body which is in the care of an authorized institution or person may be removed to another authorized institution or person with the written consent of the West Virginia Anatomical Board.



6. All costs involved in the transportation of a body or bodies, embalming, cremation, and burial by the board are to be assumed by the institution or authorized person utilizing the body or bodies. Such institutional costs shall include all administrative costs involved in the above, as well as cost incurred for memorial services, certificates and urns.



7. Confidentiality of the identity of all bodies must be assured, including anonymity for student usage.



8. Predoctoral and postdoctoral students are authorized to utilize human bodies for anatomical study if enrolled in appropriate anatomical courses of medicine, dentistry, or allied health sciences at institutions authorized by state statutes, subject to the Rules and Regulations prescribed by the board, and such persons may be allowed access to the locations where bodies are utilized for anatomical study without further specific approval by the board. Faculty members, resident students and appropriate nonfaculty medical, dental or allied health practitioners not enrolled in a course at an authorized institution also may utilize human bodies in the care of such institution for study if given permission by the responsible person designated by that institution, and if the study is carried out in the approved areas given to this purpose within that institution, as described below.



9. A body or bodies must be utilized in specific locations approved by the board. Such locations are to be construed as restricted areas and must be designed to ensure the proper security of the body, prevent unauthorized access or usage, contain facilities required for the proper manner of scientific usage and remain in a securely locked condition when not in immediate use.

Places for body storage, such as a departmental morgue, are to be construed as restricted areas, and access is to be limited to the faculty and appropriate staff of that department or unit. All other individuals must secure the permission of the responsible person designated by that institution for admission to this restricted area, and only applications giving legitimate reasons for access shall be approved.

10. Photographs of a body or any of its parts are not to be made for any reason without the express written consent of the board or the responsible person designated by the institution. The board retains the right to edit, with respect to propriety, all photographs utilizing gross anatomical human material intended for publication, and the Board must be notified of intention to public such material.



11. No institution or individual may "Buy" or "Purchase" a human body. However, human bodies may be secured from and/or transferred to other authorized institutions, with priority in West Virginia, or in other states should the need arise. Such schools shall be reimbursed for all reasonable costs.



12. The West Virginia Anatomical Board emphasized the importance of maintaining the continuing good will of the public. Students who will utilize bodies for anatomical study are to be thoroughly instructed in the proper manner of professional conduct. No action is to be made, in public or private, that in any way will demean the human body. Conversational improprieties and any other manner of unprofessional or unethical conduct are strictly prohibited. The need for genuine and sincere respect for the dignity of the deceased human body and the obligation to treat the body in a responsible and professional manner are to be regarded as essential. While authorized students or others approved by the board, or by the responsible person of an institution, have access to locations for body usage, such individuals do not have the authority in turn to grant admission or visitation privileges for guests not approved by the responsible person designated by the institution. Only persons having legitimate purpose shall be granted admission or the privilege of usage. All guests granted admission to locations for anatomical study must comply with the professional standards outlined herein.



13. The proper physical care of each body is to be maintained throughout the period of usage.



14. Nonliving human fetuses may be utilized for scientific study, subject to the following constraints:



1. Fetuses of less than twenty (20) weeks gestational age require no death certificate or Burial-Transit permit. However, the West Virginia Anatomical Board requires a Donation and Release Form signed by a parent or next-of-kin and by two (2) witnesses releasing the fetus for scientific study and disposal. Such a statement is required for all in-state, as well as out-of-state, fetuses. Fetus usage and disposition are to be carried out in accordance with the standard procedures pertaining to the usage and disposition of all postnatal human bodies as prescribed by state statutes and subject to the Rules and Regulations of the West Virginia Anatomical Board.



2. Nonliving fetuses exceeding twenty (20) weeks gestational age require a death certificate and Burial-Transit permit in compliance with state statutes. A Donation and Release Form, signed by a parent or next-of-kin and by two (2) witnesses is required by the West Virginia Anatomical Board, whether the gift is made in-state or out-of-state. A Burial-Transit permit or a Disinterment-Reinterment Permit, whichever applies, is required following the same guidelines prescribed for postnatal bodies. Fetus usage and disposition are to be carried out in accordance with standard procedures pertaining to the usage and disposition of all postnatal human bodies, in compliance with state statutes, and subject to the Rules and Regulations of the West Virginia Anatomical Board.



15. Full records are to be maintained by all institutions and authorized persons having prenatal and postnatal human bodies in their care. These records shall show all transactions and the name, sex, age, date of death, place from which received, when and from whom received, the West Virginia Anatomical Board number assigned, and other information relevant for each individual body. Records shall be open at all times to inspection by the Attorney General, prosecuting attorney in the state, and the West Virginia Anatomical Board.
    
    In order for the Anatomical Board to more fully comply with its statutory duties relating to the keeping of records, each institution that receives bodies under the board's authority shall, upon receipt of such body, file with the board's secretary a copy of the Death Certificate and a copy of the Donor Registration Form or Relative Release Form. Further, each institution which receives executed Donor Registration Forms and bodies under the Board's authority shall file monthly reports with the Board's Secretary giving the name, date of birth or Social Security number, sex age, date of death, place from which received, and when and from whom received (in the case of a donated body) and a copy of the Donor Registration Form (in the case of a newly registered donors). In addition, each institution shall annually submit to the Board the status of each body, or a copy of the Disinterment-Reinterment Permit or some other documentation indicating final disposition.



16. The propriety of any usage of the deceased human body for purposes other than for teaching and research must be approved in advance by the Board.



17. The West Virginia Anatomical Board requires that a personal copy of the Rules and Regulations be provided for each and every individual student, faculty member, secretary, technician, authorized guests, custodial maintenance, and security staff member, and for all other persons having authorized access to locations designated by the board as "Restricted," or otherwise having occasion to participate, in any manner, in the use of dead human bodies or parts of bodies for anatomical study or research. This copy of the Rules and Regulations is to be received by each individual person named above, prior to his or her initial entrance into restricted facilities, or prior to any participation in any act of anatomical study or research utilizing deceased human bodies or part thereof. This paragraph shall not be construed to include the use of human skeletal material purchased through commercial supply houses, but does include all skeletal material derived from any body coming under the authority of the West Virginia Anatomical Board.