The only reason to keep OBL's body would be to study it for clues to other locations

[riderinthestorm]

I have no idea if they kept OBL's body or threw it into the sea after a proper ritual. Frankly I believe he's dead and that's good enough for me.

But modern forensics could tell us a lot about other places he may have been to, what kind of medical care he's been getting since he had a pretty serious kidney problem which he had to have been getting care somewhere. That would be important information for any leads to Zwahiri or other AQ leaders imho. Studying the body for clues like dental care could tell them a lot (rural medicine vs big city medicine as one example).

If he never left that compound, others had to come in. And getting clues from OBL's body, even medical clues, could be important enough to keep the body.

I like the story that they chucked him into the sea. That's excellent. But if they also have put that story out there as a decoy, and are in actuality studying the body BEFORE they throw him overboard, no problem - in fact it seems prudent that that is what they are doing.

[Terry in Austin]

1. It's good forensics, and it's just plain good form

I have no doubt they got the guy. That's not the reason to expect some kind of visible token of the results. Even a photograph would do it -- heck, that's what they did with Billy the Kid.

If somebody's wanted dead or alive, it's customary to bring back the head, so to speak. Dumping the body just seems like shoddy work.

[riderinthestorm]

2. And I don't even watch teevee, CSI or any of the other forensic shows

but even I believe they'd want to do some work on his body for clues.

[pipi_k]

3. Too bad they got rid of him so quickly then!

they probably missed the map on his ass...

[emulatorloo]

4. They probably kept tissue, hair samples etc

and they probably kept his clothing

[Wait Wut]

5. I wonder if he was an organ donor.

Though, he was apparently too sick to donate. Not sure how I'd feel if I got his heart.

:sarcasm: (because I just KNOW someone is going to attack me for thinking he could possibly be an organ donor) /sigh