When is dissection of a human body permitted?

Dissection of a human body is permitted when provided by statute because legal statutes lay out the guidelines and regulations governing such procedures. These laws ensure that dissections are performed in accordance with the ethical, medical, and legal standards established by governmental authorities. It reflects the fact that there is a legal framework in place that regulates when and how dissection may occur, often for purposes such as education, research, or forensic analysis.

Other options do not align with the legal requirements. For instance, the direction of a relative alone may not suffice, as it may lack a statutory basis. An autopsy is a distinct procedure focused on determining cause of death and does not necessarily authorize dissection afterward. Similarly, while volunteers can give consent for their bodies to be used in studies, this still typically must conform to legal statutes to ensure the process is appropriate and lawful.