Group calling for probe into exhibition of preserved bodies

TORONTO - A human-rights group is calling for a coroner's and police investigation into an exhibition of preserved bodies in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Choose Humanity says the "Bodies Revealed" exhibit could be using corpses from executed Chinese prisoners without any form of consent.Colin Perkel

The group says if there is no consent, the bodies are being shown illegally in Canada.

Premier Exhibitions, based in Atlanta, Georgia, admits it can't verify the human remains are not those of people executed in Chinese prisons.

However, Ontario's chief coroner says he has no authority to investigate because the deaths occurred outside the province.

Some countries have banned the display because it can't guarantee the bodies are not from executed Chinese prisoners.

Germany-based Body Worlds has held several similar exhibits in Canadian cities but says it relies on the "generosity" of body donors who have requested to be included in the displays.