The Battle Over the Sale of Human Remains

The Battle Over the Sale of Human Remains
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According to a report by The Guardian, a growing number of human remains, including skulls, bones, and even skin products, are being sold online, raising fears of a new era of “body snatching.” The article highlights a legal void in the UK that allows this trade to flourish.

The report notes that while grave desecration is a crime in the UK, human remains are not considered property, which makes it legal to possess or sell historical remains that may have been unlawfully exhumed. This legal loophole has allowed businesses to thrive, with one trader even offering a “monthly human skull subscription.”

Forensic experts, like Dame Sue Black, are calling for a crackdown on the trade. Dr. Trish Biers of the University of Cambridge, who has a taskforce that has blocked over 200 sales in the last five years, states that social media has completely changed the market. Forensic analysis of some skulls for sale online has revealed signs consistent with recent excavation, such as root damage and staining. The article also mentions the inadequacy of the Human Tissue Act 2004, which only applies to remains less than 100 years old, leaving the private trade of older remains unregulated.