When obtaining blood and hair samples from a suspect for comparison in a rape investigation, what legal document is required?

In the context of obtaining blood and hair samples from a suspect in a rape investigation, a court order for physical characteristics is necessary. This legal document allows law enforcement to compel an individual to provide samples that can be used for forensic analysis. It serves as an official mandate, ensuring that the collection of such evidence is conducted in accordance with legal standards, thus protecting the rights of the individual while also enabling investigators to gather the necessary evidence to support the case.

A warrant or a search warrant could typically apply to more invasive searches of property or broader evidence collection. However, specifically for obtaining physical samples, a court order is the more appropriate legal instrument. A subpoena for the suspect is generally used to compel an individual to testify or produce evidence in court but is not specifically designed for the collection of physical evidence like blood or hair samples. Thus, the court order directly addresses the need for legality and adherence to due process in the collection of these specific types of evidence.