One of the least controversial topics surrounding Michael Jackson since his death has been the question of his final resting place (and when the family is going to finally lay him to rest) – especially now that both the family’s and the public’s memorial services are over.

However, according to E! Online, we might now have at least an answer regarding why Jackson has yet to be buried:

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office says it’s holding onto a section of the late King of Pop’s brain as part of its investigation into how he died.

Because toxicology tests take several weeks and are not yet complete, a coroner spokesman says pathologists need to wait for the organ to harden before they can conduct neuropathology tests to help determine what caused Jackson’s apparent cardiac arrest and subsequent death.

Investigators have focused on the possibility that Jackson accidentally overdosed on a potent anesthetic, and a thorough examination of brain tissue might shed some light on what drugs were in his system.

The coroner’s office has told Jackson relatives they have the option of burying Michael without the missing portion of his brain, or they can wait until tests are done and the tissue returned to its original place before finally laying him to rest.

That could explain why relatives have yet to hold a burial service for the late pop star.

E! Online later followed up with:

Spokesman Bryan Hill says that Jackson’s body was transported back to Forest Lawn following yesterday’s all-star memorial at Staples Center—thereby answering the once puzzling question of where Jackson’s remains ended up last night.

Of course, “temporary” still could very well mean temporary, as the family has yet to reveal any official burial plans.

“‘Temporary’ means the mortuary or the place where that person is sitting is where they will sit until [the Jackson family makes] a diagnosis of what they want to do,” Hill said. “If he was to be buried somewhere else, they’ll have to show the permit to let the county know they’re going to do that.

“Once they make that decision, they’ll have to file a brand-new amendment, which will change the status of the temporary box, and then they’ll announce what they’re going to do with the body. At that time they’ll file another permit.”

When I first read the headlines about the coroner’s office hanging on to Jackson’s brain, I had no idea what to think!

What?! Are they going to study it?! Explore the brain makeup of an entertaining genius?!

I’m kind of embarrassed to admit these are the first thoughts that went through my head. I have absolutely no knowledge about testing tissue for the presence of drugs (even though I’m an avid NCIS viewer and huge Abby Sciuto fan – television has apparently failed me) aside from the simple, well-known fact that tissue can be tested for drugs. I don’t guess I’d given it much thought beyond that point.

You learn something new everyday.

UPDATE: If you want to learn more about brain autopsies, check out Dr. John Grohol’s Michael Jackson’s Brain and the False Narrative.

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From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (July 9, 2009)

    Last reviewed: 8 Jul 2009