When is it okay to exhume a human body?

[Camazotz Automat]

1 Never
2 When it's for archaeological research
3 Only for criminal investigation
4 Anytime after 500 years
5 Only from cultures I don't care about
6 If the metal detector beeps
7 When it disproves a conspiracy theory
8 When it proves a conspiracy theory
9 Anytime after 1000 years
10 When the identity is unknown/unmarked
11 If there is gold involved
12 I'm a Civil War buff and I have a shovel
13 Only if it is suspected of being alien/non human


I have my reasons for asking.

[onan]

1 Never
2 When it's for archaeological research
3 Only for criminal investigation
4 Anytime after 500 years
5 Only from cultures I don't care about
6 If the metal detector beeps
7 When it disproves a conspiracy theory
8 When it proves a conspiracy theory
9 Anytime after 1000 years
10 When the identity is unknown/unmarked
11 If there is gold involved
12 I'm a Civil War buff and I have a shovel
13 Only if it is suspected of being alien/non human


I have my reasons for asking.

When it is dead and has been buried.

[MrMajestik]

As long as it's been in the ground long enough that there's no chance of hanky-panky going on, you're good to go!

[lonevoice]

I have my reasons for asking.

The very idea creeps me out only marginally less than wondering about your reasons for asking.

[nooryisawesome]

There should be a legit reason like trying to solve their murder, or proof they were someone's parent or something.

[3OctaveFart]

Lincoln was exhumed at least three times.
Including a creepy one where several onlookers gazed upon the president's face and noted how well his countenance had been preserved.

[Camazotz Automat]

The very idea creeps me out only marginally less than wondering about your reasons for asking.

I have just measured down to all the expectations you ever had of me. 

[ksm32]

I have my reasons for asking.

7 -14 days. This is best for everyone because (let's say the dead guy's name is Ron) When you finally open the box, Ron will still look like Ron. That would seem like it would be ok.  You could actually mutter "hey Ron" just after opening the lid. And by saying "hi" or "hey Ron" it would seem like he'd be fine with it all.  He Ron, if alive might say "fill yer boots bud, they put the gold in my right back pocket"  Everybody wins.

..and even though Ron is burning in hell?  it's all good dude

[lonevoice]

I have just measured down to all the expectations you ever had of me. 

Oh, you have no idea how low I can set the bar.   

This thread title would make a good top right corner. 

[paladin1991]

When it's ready to harvest?  I don't know how long it takes to mature.

[MV/Liberace!]

when it's a friday night and the cable is out.

[eyenoeyeno]

When you're afraid of being busted

[cweb]

When you're hungry.

Next question.

[Albemuth]

Tuesdays - 2:37am (EST).

[b_dubb]

This has happened so many times on Supernatural I can't count. Usually so they could burn the bones.

No clue what rules apply in RL.  Unless you're law enforcement. Or a grave robber.

As I understand it Benny Hill's grave was robbed. He was buried with a shitload of jewelry. Not anymore.

Cue "Yakety Sax".

[pyewacket]

2 When it's for archaeological research
3 Only for criminal investigation
7 When it disproves a conspiracy theory
8 When it proves a conspiracy theory
10 When the identity is unknown/unmarked

I have my reasons for asking.

Hiya Cam- Here are my choices from your list above. I hope you're going to share your reasons with us...I have a morbid curiosity about why you're asking.   

[BobGrau]

Once you're sure they're dead. Otherwise it doesn't count as exhum...ation? And you won't get a triple word score in that vast game of MacroScrabble you're playing.

[Eddie Coyle]

    I guess Necrophilia is a good enough reason. As long as it's heterosexual necrophila. Anything else would be weird.

[ksm32]

    I guess Necrophilia is a good enough reason. As long as it's heterosexual necrophila. Anything else would be weird.

Ron would have definitely entertained that. So he was weird.  (via my previous post)

[Camazotz Automat]

Hiya Cam- Here are my choices from your list above. I hope you're going to share your reasons with us...I have a morbid curiosity about why you're asking.   

It's been on my mind for a while to start the topic, both for fun and to contemplate the blurry lines. If I were to get caught digging up someone's great uncle - while attempting to carefully retrieve a gold ring or pocket watch or jeweled dagger - there could be serious consequences.

If I were an archaeologist opening a mummy's chamber, I might be considered some kind of adventure hero.

[attachimg=1]

Something that happened that got me thinking along these lines, was that I came across what I thought was an interesting rock - interesting in size, shape, and placement. It seems, to me anyway, to indicate something is there, despite my being assured by those in control of the land that "it's nothing and there's nothing under it."

I took the photo in May 2014.

[MV/Liberace!]

When you realize you lost a button during the funeral.

[GeorgieForPresident2216]

I suppose when you have the families' permission and/or legal authority to do so.

[pyewacket]

It's been on my mind for a while to start the topic, both for fun and to contemplate the blurry lines. If I were to get caught digging up someone's great uncle - while attempting to carefully retrieve a gold ring or pocket watch or jeweled dagger - there could be serious consequences.

If I were an archaeologist opening a mummy's chamber, I might be considered some kind of adventure hero.

[attachimg=1]

Something that happened that got me thinking along these lines, was that I came across what I thought was an interesting rock - interesting in size, shape, and placement. It seems, to me anyway, to indicate something is there, despite my being assured by those in control of the land that "it's nothing and there's nothing under it."

I took the photo in May 2014.

Ah...that is interesting. Not only did Westerners open Egyptian tombs and take everything of value, they abused and exploited the mummies. They ground them up for pigment in paint-Mummy (not Billy) Brown was made from the flesh of the bodies. In Medieval times, they were used for medicinal purposes. They were traded and sold as a commodity. Later they became a curiosity and people would attend demonstrations of mummies being unwrapped. They also burned them for fuel. Business was brisk and when they ran short of mummies they would treat the recent dead to make them look like mummies. And a whole lot more- interesting history.

That's why I will opt for cremation!   

I take it someone else owns the property. Will they give permission for you to dig? If they don't think there is anything under the stone- what's the harm? Could be nothing - could be an interesting bit of history. They found Richard III digging up a parking lot. He was identified, examined, and given a proper reburial. I'd say that was handled with respect.

Please post if you pursue this any further- I'm a nosey sort. 

[Juan]

Humanist bigot.

[pyewacket]

Humanist bigot.

More or less. 

[pyewacket]

Cam- Have you checked your local Clerk's or Records Office? I don't know about your state, but deeds usually have to be filed and recorded as a matter of public record. You could find the deed to the property and do a title search back from the current deed and see if this stone is mentioned in the land description. This might have been an old well that they sealed off or it might have been part of an old out building. There are also maps on file that might give you more information about it, too. I used to do property searches- lots of history available in public records. Good luck with your research. 

[Camazotz Automat]

Good luck with your research. 

Thanks for the suggestions, pyewacket. If I have any luck (legally or other), I might update with my findings. The location is about an hour away from me, in the very heart of a small town. The town's mayor is one of the people who dismissed the idea of the rock having any significance.  Probably my imagination, but the subject seems like a sore spot with locals there.  What made me go looking for the location was an article in a magazine from the 1980s that referenced the stone, albeit in an overly shadowy manner, making it difficult to locate.

I'm fairly sure the stone was at the location before the mayor coalesced on this mortal coil. So what the hell does does he know? Or even "think" he knows? HA

It's a conspiracy! 

[pyewacket]

Thanks for the suggestions, pyewacket. If I have any luck (legally or other), I might update with my findings. The location is about an hour away from me, in the very heart of a small town. The town's mayor is one of the people who dismissed the idea of the rock having any significance.  Probably my imagination, but the subject seems like a sore spot with locals there.  What made me go looking for the location was an article in a magazine from the 1980s that referenced the stone, albeit in an overly shadowy manner, making it difficult to locate.

I'm fairly sure the stone was at the location before the mayor coalesced on this mortal coil. So what the hell does does he know? Or even "think" he knows? HA

It's a conspiracy! 

The plot thickens! Are there any local historians you could talk to about the area? Any landmark attractions that might provide the local history? Sometimes, the libraries have an archive of old records that might be available on film, etc. Old churches can provide burial records maybe some maps. Sounds like an interesting project. Sad that the mayor has no curiosity, but there may be others who do. Although, he may be concerned that it will attract the wrong sort of attention. Hope you find some more information to help. 

[GeorgieForPresident2216]

Thanks for the suggestions, pyewacket. If I have any luck (legally or other), I might update with my findings. The location is about an hour away from me, in the very heart of a small town. The town's mayor is one of the people who dismissed the idea of the rock having any significance.  Probably my imagination, but the subject seems like a sore spot with locals there.  What made me go looking for the location was an article in a magazine from the 1980s that referenced the stone, albeit in an overly shadowy manner, making it difficult to locate.

I'm fairly sure the stone was at the location before the mayor coalesced on this mortal coil. So what the hell does does he know? Or even "think" he knows? HA

It's a conspiracy! 

Camazotz Automat, relic hunter.

[WOTR]

To get it out of the way... It is alright to exhume a body any time the police get too close or the land is in imminent danger of being developed.

On a more serious note- ground penetrating radar has existed for quite awhile.  Though usually used by professionals- there have to be a couple around in private hands where a sum of $$ would induce them to scan the immediate area.  If the rock is a marker it is not like you would be doing a whole field or even a back yard- just one small section that could probably be knocked off quite quickly.  If there were an operator in the area I cannot imagine that the cost would be prohibitive to have them drive out.  Probably easier than explaining to his worship and the deputies why you have dug up their town square...

If you told me what state you were in I could have done a little more research... There is even a link for cemeteries and forensics if you were in Missouri... http://www.groundpenetratingradarmissouri.com/

Q: Can you locate unmarked grave sites?
A: Yes, Ground Penetrating Radar can be used to determine the precise location of unmarked graves for site planning purposes.  While older grave sites can be harder to locate because of material deterioration, in most cases we can accurately map where these grave sites are found.

***Explaining to the operator why you want to meet at midnight and questioning how quiet they can me may be difficult...