Final answer:
The time period for which a medical examiner can retain a blood specimen before destruction, if no court order is issued, depends on jurisdiction-specific laws and regulations, and may vary significantly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The retention period for blood specimens collected by a medical examiner before they can be destroyed if a court does not issue an order varies depending on jurisdictional laws and regulations. Typically, these rules are set by state statutes or professional guidelines.
In the absence of a specific court order, the medical examiner may be guided by departmental policies which could range from a few weeks to several months or even years. It is important for the medical examiner to follow the appropriate legal and regulatory requirements to avoid potential legal issues that could arise from premature destruction of the blood specimen.