Texas statute
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 49.01 — Definitions
Current through 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)
Part of Chapter 49: INQUESTS UPON DEAD BODIES, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Full text of Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 49.01
Statutory text current through the 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025). This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Texas.
(a) In this chapter: (1) "Autopsy" means a post mortem examination of the body of a person, including X-rays and an examination of the internal organs and structures after dissection, to determine the cause of death or the nature of any pathological changes that may have contributed to the death. (2) "Inquest" means an investigation into the cause and circumstances of the death of a person, and a determination, made with or without a formal court hearing, as to whether the death was caused by an unlawful act or omission. (3) "Inquest hearing" means a formal court hearing held to determine whether the death of a person was caused by an unlawful act or omission and, if the death was caused by an unlawful act or omission, to obtain evidence to form the basis of a criminal prosecution. (4) "Institution" means any place where health care services are rendered, including a hospital, clinic, health facility, nursing home, extended-care facility, out-patient facility, foster-care facility, and retirement home. (5) "Physician" means a practicing doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine who is licensed by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners under Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code. (b) For purposes of this chapter, a person or body is considered unidentified if: (1) the deceased person's legal name is unknown; and (2) there is no known person with the duty to inter the deceased person's remains under Section 711.002 (a), Health and Safety Code.
Official sources
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