Sec. 12. TRANSFER OF DUTIES OF JUSTICE OF PEACE.  When the commissioners court of any county shall establish the office of medical examiner, all powers and duties of justices of the peace in such county relating to the investigation of deaths and inquests shall vest in the office of the medical examiner.  Any subsequent General Law pertaining to the duties of justices of the peace in death investigations and inquests shall apply to the medical examiner in such counties as to the extent not inconsistent with this Article, and all laws or parts of laws otherwise in conflict herewith are hereby declared to be inapplicable to this Article.
Sec. 13. USE OF FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGIST.  On discovering the body or body part of a deceased person in the circumstances described by Subdivision 3(B) of Section 6(a), the medical examiner may request the aid of a forensic anthropologist in the examination of the body or body part.  The forensic anthropologist must hold a doctoral degree in anthropology with an emphasis in physical anthropology.  The forensic anthropologist shall attempt to establish whether the body or body part is of a human or animal, whether evidence of childbirth, injury, or disease exists, and the sex, race, age, stature, and physical anomalies of the body or body part.  The forensic anthropologist may also attempt to establish the cause, manner, and time of death.
Sec. 13A.  FEES.  (a)  A medical examiner may charge reasonable fees for services provided by the office of medical examiner under this article, including cremation approvals, court testimonies, consultations, and depositions.
(b)  The commissioners court must approve the amount of the fee before the fee may be assessed.  The fee may not exceed the amount necessary to provide the services described by Subsection (a).
(c)  The fee may not be assessed against the county's district attorney or a county office.
Sec. 14. PENALTY.    (a)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly violates this article.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.