Texas statute
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 49A.064 — Taking samples; limited autopsies
Current through 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)
Part of Chapter 49A: DEATH INQUESTS, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Amendment pending: a new version of this section takes effect Thu Apr 01 2027 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time).
Full text of Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 49A.064
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) If a justice of the peace determines that a complete autopsy is unnecessary to confirm or determine the cause of death, the justice may order a physician to take or remove from a body a sample of body fluids, tissues, or organs to determine the nature and cause of death. Except as provided by Subsection (b), a justice may not order a person other than a physician to take a sample from the body of a deceased person. (b) A justice of the peace may order a physician, qualified technician, paramedic, chemist, registered nurse, or licensed vocational nurse to take a specimen of blood from the body of a person: (1) who died as the result of a motor vehicle collision if the justice determines that circumstances indicate that the person may have been driving while intoxicated; or (2) to aid in the confirmation or determination of the cause and manner of the person's death while conducting an inquest.
Official sources
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