Who can order the removal of human remains for legal purposes?

• A. A court, the Attorney General, the Solicitor General, or a coroner.
• B. A court only.
• C. The Attorney General only.
• D. A coroner only.

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is who has the authority to order the removal of human remains for legal purposes in Ontario. In this context, removal can be ordered to facilitate an autopsy, investigations into a death, or other legal proceedings.

A coroner can issue such an order because the coroner’s role is to investigate deaths and ensure the remains are examined, preserved, or moved as needed for investigation or autopsy. A court can order removal in the course of legal proceedings, to preserve evidence or advance the case. The Attorney General and the Solicitor General can authorize or direct removal when required by law or to facilitate Crown-facing investigations and public safety responsibilities. Because different legal situations may call for action by different authorities, all of these parties can have the authority to order removal.

Limiting the authority to any single entity would miss the reality that removal can be required under various legal circumstances involving different branches of government.