Introduction

A body is classified as an unclaimed body when all efforts to identify the deceased have been carried out by the authorities but their identity remains unknown, or when the deceased’s next of kin cannot be located/contacted. There are also cases where the police deliver decomposed bodies or skeletal remains that are impossible to identify within a short period. As a result, these unclaimed bodies will remain in the custody of the Department of Forensic Medicine for an extended period.

Based on current practices in the Department of Forensic Medicine, all unclaimed bodies received, whether from hospitals or external sources, are registered in the Death Register. They are entered as bodies without identity.

Unclaimed Bodies of Muslims During Their Lifetime

For Muslim bodies, they are kept in the department for a period of 3 days. During this time and thereafter, the identity of the deceased, including their next of kin, is sought through announcements made by the police, the Department of Medical Social Work, the National Registration Department, and relevant embassies.

If the body remains unclaimed after three days from the time of acceptance, it is classified as an unclaimed body. During this period, the case will be referred to the Hospital Director for Hospital Burial if there are no next of kin or if the identity remains unknown. The case is then handed over to the Selangor Islamic Religious Council for burial arrangements.

Unclaimed Bodies of Non-Muslims During Their Lifetime

For non-Muslim bodies, they are kept for a period of 2 weeks (14 days). During this time and thereafter, the identity of the deceased, including their next of kin, is sought through announcements made by the police, the Department of Medical Social Work, the National Registration Department, and relevant embassies.

After this period, the case will be referred to the Hospital Director for Hospital Burial. If there are no next of kin or if the identity remains unknown, the case is handed over to trusted religious associations for cremation at the crematorium.

Handing Over to Universities for Academic Purposes

The criteria for the suitability of a body to be donated to universities for learning or research purposes are as follows:

The procedure for handing over the body to university authorities follows the Circular of the Director-General of Health No. 5/2008 Guidelines for the Handing Over of Unclaimed Bodies in Ministry of Health Hospitals to Local University Faculties for Educational or Medical Research Purposes.

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