Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
§ 49A.064 — TAKING SAMPLES; LIMITED AUTOPSIES
CR § 49A.064Title 1. CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE · Ch. 49A. DEATH INQUESTS · Art. B. INQUESTS BY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
Statute text
View on source(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. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2027. Text of article effective on April 01, 2027