Exhumations are carried out for a variety of purposes:
- Forensic investigation
- Identification of unidentified human remains
- Paternity/Maternity establishment
- Removal and repatriation of the deceased to a new location
Part of the exhumation process may involve the:
- Recovery of the target individual
- Separation of individuals within the same grave or coffin
- Assessment of completeness of the deceased's remains
- Sampling for DNA, Isotope or Toxicology purposes
- Scanning of the skull for facial reconstruction and/or skull-photo-superimposition purposes
Helpful links:
Citizens Information Ireland: Exhumation of the remains of a deceased person
Department for Communities Northern Ireland: Revised policy guidance on exhumations
Further information on regulations regarding exhumations in Ireland can also be found on local county council websites.