Rhode Island General Laws Title 11. Criminal Offenses § 11-20-1.1. Mutilation of dead human bodies--Penalties--Exemptions

(1) A physician or surgeon acting on the order of a court of competent jurisdiction, a coroner or other qualified officer, a licensed funeral director or a licensed embalmer;

(2) Dissection to determine the cause of death when authorized by the nearest living kin of the deceased;

(3) Unclaimed dead human bodies delivered by state or county authorities to regularly chartered institutions for scientific research;

(4) 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

(5) Conduct authorized by the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 18.6 of title 23.