Gille Ralf J, Ribe Manfred, Kreutz Kerstin, Weiler Günter, Verhoff Marcel A
Institut für Rechtsmedizin am Universitätsklinikum Giessen.
Arch Kriminol. 2006 Mar-Apr;217(3-4):81-91.
The definition of the term "corpse" is relevant for medicine in general and most particularly so for forensic medicine, as it has direct consequences on practical work: legally, postmortems and autopsies may only be performed on corpses. With this in mind, the legal term "corpse" was examined on the basis of German State Law regulations and provisions. Approximately half the burial acts include a definition of "corpse", but even here there are certain variations. The definitions for "corpse" can be divided into four categories: 1) according to the lack of vital signs or sure signs of death 2) according to the degree of decomposition and/or cohesion of body parts 3) on the basis of severed body parts, and 4) terminological differentiation of stillbirths and neonatal fatalities from miscarriages. Laws vary greatly in their definition of the term "corpse". Therefore, the decision whether or not human remains or parts thereof qualify as a "corpse" should be left to medical discretion.
“尸体”这一术语的定义在整个医学领域都具有相关性，对于法医学而言尤为如此，因为它对实际工作有着直接影响：从法律角度来看，尸体解剖和验尸只能针对尸体进行。基于此，我们依据德国国家法律规定对“尸体”这一法律术语进行了审视。大约一半的殡葬法规都包含“尸体”的定义，但即便如此，其中仍存在某些差异。“尸体”的定义可分为四类：1）依据生命体征缺失或确切死亡迹象；2）根据身体各部分的分解程度和/或粘连情况；3）基于被切断的身体部分；4）死产和新生儿死亡与流产在术语上的区分。不同法律对“尸体”这一术语的定义差异极大。因此，关于人体遗骸或其部分是否符合“尸体”的判定应留由医学专业判断。
