---
title: O.C.G.A. § 45-16-51. Interment of unidentified human remains; disinterment for identification.
collection: code
id: 45-16-51
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 45-16-51 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-16-51
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-16-51.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-16-51/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t45-(v33)-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=c5ce751b_0#page=112
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-16.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-16-50.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES / CORONERS / DEATH INVESTIGATIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 45-16-51. Interment of unidentified human remains; disinterment for identification.

(a) The chief medical examiner shall be authorized to inter unidentified human remains after the peace officer in charge has exhausted all efforts in identifying such remains.

(b) Notwithstanding Code Section 45-16-45, the chief medical examiner shall have the authority to disinter remains interred pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section when the chief medical examiner determines that further information can be obtained or further testing can be performed that may result in the identification of such remains.

## History

Code 1981, § 45-16-51, enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 253, § 1/SB 385.

## Cross References

Cemetery and funeral services, T. 10, C. 14.

Permits for disposition, disinterment, and reinterment, § 31-10-20.

Disposition of dead bodies, § 31-21-1 et seq.

## Effective Date

This Code section became effective July 1, 2018.