How Institutional Officials Perceive the Safety, Legal, and Ethical Liabilities Regarding the Use of the Newly Dead for Clinical Training and Forensic Research

Abstract

A descriptive multiple case study was conducted to determine strategies, programs, and procedures that higher education institutional administrations implement to understand and mitigate liability in regard to legal, ethical and safety issues in the use of the newly dead for clinical training and forensic research. This case study method used cross-case analysis which allowed an exploratory, descriptive, and knowledge-gathering approach in the realm of using unembalmed cadavers for these purposes. Using semi-structured interviews, direct observation, and document analysis, the data was analyzed for emergent themes to identify common elements of established programs. Findings will contribute to our understanding on implementation of these programs; will increase the literature base by analyzing, in conjunction, both ethical and safety issues; and will explore maintaining the donor autonomy with balancing the donor's wishes with the societal good of increased medical knowledge and/or skill.