Pennsylvania § 13922 Prohibition on moving a body

Pennsylvania Statutes

§ 13922 — Prohibition on moving a body

Pennsylvania § 13922

JurisdictionPennsylvania

Title 16COUNTIES

PartPART IV

Ch. 139CORONER

Subch.GENERAL PROVISIONS

This text of Pennsylvania § 13922 (Prohibition on moving a body) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

16 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 13922 (2026).

Text

(a)Moving a body.--Except as provided under subsection (b), if a coroner has jurisdiction to investigate the facts and circumstances of death, the body and the surroundings of the body shall be left untouched until either of the following occurs:

(1)The coroner has conducted an initial investigation of the scene of death, including viewing and photographing the scene in the manner that most fully discloses how the individual died.

(2)The coroner directs or authorizes the touching of the body and the surroundings of the body except as provided by law or as circumstances may require.

(b)Exception.--A body on a public thoroughfare or other place may be moved if necessary for the administration of emergency care and as a precaution against a traffic accident or another serious consequen

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(a) Moving a body.--Except as provided under subsection (b), if a coroner has jurisdiction to investigate the facts and circumstances of death, the body and the surroundings of the body shall be left untouched until either of the following occurs:

(1) The coroner has conducted an initial investigation of the scene of death, including viewing and photographing the scene in the manner that most fully discloses how the individual died.

(2) The coroner directs or authorizes the touching of the body and the surroundings of the body except as provided by law or as circumstances may require.

(b) Exception.--A body on a public thoroughfare or other place may be moved if necessary for the administration of emergency care and as a precaution against a traffic accident or another serious consequence that may reasonably be anticipated if the body was left in place. The removal of the body shall be done in a manner as to not substantially destroy or alter possible evidence.