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Texas Statutes (Last Updated: January 4, 2014) |
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GOVERNMENT CODE |
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Title 4. EXECUTIVE BRANCH |
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Subtitle B. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC PROTECTION |
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Chapter 420. SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND CRISIS SERVICES |
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Subchapter B. COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE OF SEX OFFENSE |
Sec. 420.032. PHOTO DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR CHILD VICTIMS IN CERTAIN COUNTIES
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(a) In this section:
(1) "Child" has the meaning assigned by Section 101.003, Family Code.
(2) "Medical professional" has the meaning assigned by Section 91.001, Family Code.
(3) "Photo documentation" means video or photographs of a child alleged to be the victim of a sexual assault that are taken with a colposcope or other magnifying camera during the forensic portion of a medical examination of the child.
(b) In a county with a population of three million or more, the forensic portion of a medical examination of a child alleged to be the victim of a sexual assault must include the production of photo documentation unless the medical professional examining the child determines that good cause for refraining from producing photo documentation exists.
(c) The photo documentation must include images of the child's anogenital area and any signs of injury apparent on the body of the child.
(d) If photo documentation is not produced, the medical professional conducting the forensic portion of the medical examination shall document in the child's medical records the reason photo documentation was not produced.
(e) The fact that the medical professional examining the child did not produce photo documentation in the forensic portion of a medical examination of a child alleged to be the victim of a sexual assault and the reasons behind the lack of photo documentation are admissible at the trial of the alleged sexual assault, but the lack of photo documentation will not affect the admissibility of other evidence in the case.