Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Practice Exam

In counties without a medical examiner's office, who is responsible for tangible evidence in an inquest?

1. A Justice of the Peace of that county

2. The county sheriff

3. The district attorney

4. The local police chief

The correct answer is: A Justice of the Peace of that county

In counties that do not have a medical examiner's office, the responsibility for tangible evidence during an inquest falls to the Justice of the Peace. The Justice of the Peace is tasked with overseeing inquests in such counties and ensuring that proper procedures are followed when investigating a death. This role includes assessing evidence, determining the cause of death, and handling any relevant materials that could aid in the investigation. The other options, while they hold significant roles within the law enforcement and legal systems, do not have the specific authority to manage tangible evidence in an inquest in the absence of a medical examiner. The county sheriff, for instance, generally focuses on law enforcement and maintaining public order, rather than conducting inquests. Similarly, the district attorney's primary responsibility is prosecuting criminal cases and may not be directly involved in the inquest process. The local police chief oversees law enforcement activities within their jurisdiction, but does not possess the requisite authority to conduct inquests in the absence of a medical examiner.