No.
Ther are 50 state laws which govern, I've only practiced in 3, and Texas isn't one of them.
But, in general, unattended sudden deaths have to be EVALUATED by a medical examiner or coroner. That official is ENTITLED but not REQUIRED to perform or order an autopsy.
Step #1 (always) is to contact the deceased person's personal doctor, if one exists.
After that, 98% of the time, the ME/coroner will sign the death certificate without an autopsy, based on information obtained from the personal physician.
If there is no personal physician or if he says, "Wow! I can't believe it!", step #2 is to request permission from the family. The family always (in my experience) refuses.
Since then exercising the State's authority to command an autopsy is difficult, it usually ends there.
In this case, we have no facts, so it's kind of silly to speculate. The local official apparently spoke to Scalia's physician, and got enough information to sign a death certificate.
It's probably legit.
I agree with that 100%...we have no facts... and given we have no facts and the the impact this mans death at this particular time can have on ever US citizen going forward in the future...
I say the citizens have a right to expect the simple common everyday process of an autopsy to collect those missing facts and eliminate speculation
due diligence and process are to be expected ...its a prudent valid request