6-4-502. Mutilation of dead human bodies; concealing a felony; penalties; exceptions.

(a) Except as provided in this section, a person who dissects or mutilates a dead human body is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), or both.

(b) This section does not apply to:

(i) The state health officer acting pursuant to W.S. 35-1-241, or a physician or surgeon acting on the order of a court of competent jurisdiction, a coroner or other qualified officer;

(ii) Dissection to determine the cause of death when authorized by the nearest living kin of deceased, a court of competent jurisdiction or other qualified officer;

(iii) Unclaimed dead human bodies delivered by state or county authorities to regularly chartered institutions for scientific research or persons certified by a state or local law enforcement agency to train search and rescue animals;

(iv) The necessary mutilation incident to embalming a dead human body when authorized by nearest living kin, a court of competent jurisdiction or other qualified officer; or

(v) Conduct authorized by the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, W.S. 35-5-201 through 35-5-225.

(c) A person who mutilates a dead human body or disposes of a dead human body in a hidden, undisclosed or transient location in order to conceal a felony offense is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years, a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), or both.