It is not uncommon for teaching hospitals to purchase unidentified bodies to use for medical research.

KGW

Oregon Health and Science University Hospital.

According to a report in the Oregonian newspaper, Oregon law requires that unclaimed remains must be offered to Oregon Health & Science University to be used as cadavers.

However, OHSU does not purchase bodies, a university spokesman said. They accept donated bodies for educational purposes.

Officials with the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office said the law requires them to try to locate the next of kin or responsible friends when dealing with an unclaimed body.