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ABMDI TESTS| 177 QUESTIONS| WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Which of the following MUST notify the coroner/ME promptly upon discovery of a suspicious death? a. law enforcement official b. funeral director c. EMT or paramedic d. ER room physician e. all of the above correct answer: e. all of the above A 35 year old white female, who was employed as a waitress, unexpectedly dies at work. An autopsy confirms the cause of death as bacterial meningitis. Which of the following agencies must be notified promptly? a. emergency medical association b. department of public health c. department of OSHA d. department of children and family services e. food and drug administration correct answer: b. department of public health You have received a call in regard to a natural death at a residence. Your investigation should include: a. establishing a cause and manner of death at the scene b. accepting family members' opinions as to the COD c. contacting the physician of the deceased d. basing your conclusions on the opinion of paramedics at the scene e. forming an opinion as to the COD based on types of meds prescribed correct answer: c. contacting the physician of the deceased You are on scene of a homicide and the police tell you that the media want you to release the subject's name and information about the case. You should: a. take them with you to the scene b. follow office policy and procedures that your office has established for dealing with media c. tell the media that you will not give them any information but that you will let them take pictures of the body d. let the police make the press release on behalf of your office e. give the media the basic information correct answer: b. follow office policy and procedures that your office has established for dealing with media In general, which of the following is not normally considered for organ/tissue procurement purposes? a. heart valves b. long bones and pelvis c. kidneys d. tendon and veins
e. reproductive organs correct answer: e. reproductive organs The pathologist must be alerted to religious requests from the family: a. before the victim's body is taken from hospital b. after the autopsy before the body is taken to the funeral home c. before the victim's body is taken from the scene d. only if the religion requires it e. before the autopsy is performed correct answer: e. before the autopsy is performed Retort correct answer: a vessel or chamber in which substances are decomposed by heat To establish a working relationship with law enforcement personnel at the death scene, you should: a. discuss case facts with the officer in charge and proceed appropriately b. present the statutory citations for your authority to the officer in charge c. introduce yourself; talk briefly about your responsibilities and listen to theirs d. wait until your supervisor takes you around and introduces you e. keep to yourself until you know the facts of the case correct answer: c. introduce yourself; talk briefly about your responsibilities and listen to theirs When investigating a death, it is best to: a. use all available resources b. get all scene investigative information from LE c. work alone d. disregard how problems affect personnel e. not listen to other or ask questions correct answer: a. use all available resources List the key attributes of nonverbal communication correct answer: Eye movement, physical gestures, and facial expressions Jurisdiction correct answer: the power or authority a court or office has over individuals or trauma Authorization for organ/tissue procurement is considered valid if: a. the legal next of kin or representative has given consent b. an emergency room physician gives permission c. a donor card with the decedent's name is found in the wallet or purse d. the decedent's physician will verify that donation was the decedent's request e. a donor designation appears on the decedent's drivers license correct answer: a. the legal next of kin or representative has given consent The deceased is separated from his/her spouse. The NOK would be: a. oldest surviving relative b. separated spouse c. parents d. siblings
What authorizations must be in place before OPO can take place? correct answer: Written permission from the decedent's legal NOK Anencephalic correct answer: an infant born without a brain When communicating with the media, it is important for each death investigator to remember that he/she is: a. a receiver of both work and personal messages b. an independent agent communicating the facts as he/she interprets them c. a sender of both work related and personal messages d. a sender and receiver of both work related and personal messages e. a provider of feedback only correct answer: d. a sender and receiver of both work related and personal messages Bereavement correct answer: sorrow following the death of a loved one Following the decision that death has occurred, ER staff should: a. leave the body intact and notify the coroner/ME b. remove tubes, lines, and medical apparatus and prepare the body for family viewing c. use the cadaver for training and practice intubation or intravenous injection d. seal the bloody clothing in a plastic bag, placing their initials date time over evidence tape e. bag and tag the body after NOK have made positive ID correct answer: a. leave the body intact and notify the coroner/ME List the hierarchy of NOK correct answer: surviving spouse surviving children or their legal guardian surviving parents surviving siblings surviving grandparents other relatives Official pronouncement of death can be accomplished by correct answer: determined by state statute and local customs Authorization to conduct a medicolegal autopsy must be provided by: a. the decedent's NOK b. the coroner or ME when jurisdiction is established c. a will or other document signed before death d. the treating physician e. all of the above correct answer: b. the coroner or ME when jurisdiction is established Your office is investigating a suspected SIDS death. You should notify your statewide SIDS program ________. correct answer: ASAP following autopsy The death investigator and a police officer arrive at the scene within minutes of each other. a. the PD is in charge and directs the work
b. the death investigator is in charge and directs the work c. the best approach is a team approach to perfoming the work d. each has specific responsibilities to perform, and they should not interact e. work together only if necessary; you represent different agencies correct answer: c. the best approach is a team approach to perfoming the work Choose one of the most important communication skills for gathering information at the scene: a. talk to all neighbors b. listen and actively study witnesses c. write down your thoughts d. avoid eye contact with suspects e. none of the above correct answer: b. listen and actively study witnesses When obtaining information about a decedent from family members, the first priority should always be to obtain information from: a. the family member who seems the most stable b. the family member who last saw/talked with the decedent, or has firsthand knowledge regarding the circumstances surrounding the death/medical history. c. decedent's PCP d. family member who is in control of family unit e. police officer who found body correct answer: b. the family member who last saw/talked with the decedent, or has firsthand knowledge regarding the circumstances surrounding the death/medical history. Family members often ask why the medical examiner/coroner is involved. When discussing the case with family, what is the best prescribed answer to give them? correct answer: explain what is believed to have occurred (homicide, suicide, unexpected death) and why we are investigating When investigating a homicide death case, you discover the victim and family are orthodox Jews. The family voice their objection based on religious belief to an autopsy. Which is the best recommended procedure to follow? correct answer: Counsel the family. Explain the circumstances surrounding the investigation and why (criminal prosecution, etc.) the autopsy needs to be performed. If the deceased is decomposed, mutilated, or burned beyond recognition and the family still insists for religious or cultural reasons on viewing the body, the investigator should correct answer: Prepare the family before viewing with a verbal explanation and possibly photographs of the remains When family members ask what mortuary should we use- what is the proper response? correct answer: consult the local telephone directory If the deceased has some minor facial scrapes and bruises, you should tell the persons who will be viewing him/her: a. to ignore the fact that the decedent has facial injuries
d. tell him that no info will be released until a suspect is in custody e. do nothing correct answer: a. explain that bc no suspect has been identified the results are being revealed only to the investigative agency at the present time When interviewing family members before they view the deceased, be sure to: a. advise them that they will not be allowed to touch the body b. describe the basic procedures that the ME performed c. make sincere sounding excuses for the time delay before the body can be released d. explain that the victim's personal property can be released only to a funeral director e. describe what they are about to see step by step correct answer: e. describe what they are about to see step by step A clandestine methamphetamine laboratory has exploded, and the chemist's body is on the scene. You may undertake your scene investigation when: a. the staging area has been erected b. the police and FD think the scene is safe c. the FD and hazardous materials team think the scene is safe d. the FD and police chief have completed their investigation e. proper safety precautions have been taken correct answer: e. proper safety precautions have been taken/c. the FD and hazardous materials team think the scene is safe You arrive at an outdoor homicide scene, and you find that the crime scene tape binds too small a perimeter. Onlookers and media are beginning to gather. You should: a. not "fuel" the crowd by moving them because the scene has already been contaminated b. remove the body from the scene as quickly as possible to prevent creating an unruly mob and hostile media c. immediately take down the tape and enlarge the perimeter d. tell the investigating police agency to begin arresting onlookers if they cannot control themselves e. keep the tape in place and instruct the investigating agency to enlarge the perimeter correct answer: e. keep the tape in place and instruct the investigating agency to enlarge the perimeter The police notify your office of a death and tell you that the subject was pronounced dead by a home health care nurse who is an LPN. Can the pronouncement be valid? a. regardless of your jurisdiction, a nurse can never pronounce a subject dead. b. depending on your local and state law, the pronouncement may be valid. c. No, a death investigator is the only person who can determine whether a subject is dead. d. Only if the LPN is registered as a home hospice nurse. e. No. a subject cannot be pronounced dead unless an EKG is performed. correct answer: b. depending on your local and state law, the pronouncement may be valid. When death investigators come in contact with an unidentified body, the best form of identification (when available) are fingerprints. The second best form of ID is: a. unique markings on the body, such as a tattoo b. a physical description c. analysis of the skeletal remains by a forensic anthropologist
d. comparison of radiographs e. congenital defects correct answer: d. comparison of radiographs The most important reason for taking an overall (wide-angle) photograph of the scene is to: a. show the weather conditions b. spatially locate the specific scene to the surrounding area c. create a permanent record of marks on the body d. show tool marks and tattoos e. collect a photo that can be used for ID correct answer: b. spatially locate the specific scene to the surrounding area There is a knife handle protruding from the chest of a homicide victim. Which statement is false? a. It is best to leave the knife in place to enable the pathologist to fully evaluate the injury. b. It is best to leave the knife intact so that it can be x-rayed. c. It is best to remove the knife and turn it over to PD immediately, to reduce the chain of custody and allow the knife to be processed for fingerprints. d. It is best to leave the knife in place and preserve any fingerprint evidence on the knife handle by protecting the handle with a brown paper bag. e. None of the above correct answer: c. It is best to remove the knife and turn it over to PD immediately, to reduce the chain of custody and allow the knife to be processed for fingerprints. A major part of documenting a violent death scene investigation should include: a. thoroughly photographing the emergency medical personnel removing the body b. interviewing all possible eye witnesses c. videotaping the crime scene d. making a complete sketch of the scene e. thoroughly photographing the scene correct answer: e. thoroughly photographing the scene When packaging items for the laboratory, you should: a. put all like items in the same package b. clean any biohazard material from the items before packaging. c. put all items in separate plastic packages. d. put all items in separate packages. e. put all items from the same location in the same package. correct answer: d. put all items in separate packages. Three teenage males reportedly have been playing "Russian roulette". The manner of death for one victim, who was found to have a contact range wound to the right temple, is: a. dictated by the personal philosophy of the certifier b. homicide c. natural d. suicide e. accident correct answer: a. dictated by the personal philosophy of the certifier Prescription medication at the scene must be: a. collected and released to the next of kin
a. Tell them they should have thought about that before, and to leave the child alone. You must collect evidence at this time. b. Consider the evidence you have discovered to this point and make a professional decision based on those facts, always taking the family into consideration. c. Place the body in a body bag and tell the family that they can view the body after the pathologist has completed an autopsy. d. Advise them of the federal statute that prohibits handling evidence during the conducting of an investigation e. Point out to all family members (except the mother) that the rights of the child supercede theirs, and that they will have a chance to hold the child after the investigation is complete. correct answer: b. Consider the evidence you have discovered to this point and make a professional decision based on those facts, always taking the family into consideration. Immediately upon arriving at the scene of a death, the death investigator should do which of the following? a. make sure sufficient boundaries are established b. be interviewed by the media c. identify and contact the law enforcement officer in charge d. assign an officer to guard the scene if the investigator suspects problems e. all of the above correct answer: c. identify and contact the law enforcement officer in charge The first priority at a homicide death scene is usually: a. securing and protecting the scene b. administering first aid to any injured persons c. establishing a command center d. investigating e. interviewing all witnesses correct answer: b. administering first aid to any injured persons A death investigator would identify bite marks, fingerprints, organic materials, tracks and impressions, grass fragments, and clothing as being examples of: a. hard evidence b. physical evidence c. criminal evidence d. trace evidence e. transfer evidence correct answer: b. physical evidence In a death investigation, evidence is generally considered to be: a. any materials that contribute to establishing cause and manner of death b. proof that a crime has been committed c. information that will provide proof for the prosecution d. all items photographed and taken from the scene e. the means of solving a crime correct answer: a. any materials that contribute to establishing cause and manner of death In identifying and collecting trace evidence at the death scene, which of the following should NOT be done?
a. taking photographs of the body, showing where evidence is b. removing all evidence from the body c. sealing the evidence in a package with an evidence seal d. Marking all evidence with a number for later identification e. selecting an appropriate means to package or preserve the evidence correct answer: b. removing all evidence from the body Maintaining the "chain of evidence" refers to: a. the events leading up to the time of death b. the strength of the evidence c. the relationship of the evidence to the type of crime d. accountability for the evidence e. the list of materials used to process the evidence correct answer: d. accountability for the evidence Without following laws related to the collection of evidence, the death investigator is: a. risking the lives of individuals at the scene b. risking the integrity of all evidence collected c. risking the loss of the case d. acting reasonably based on his/her training e. looking out for all agencies involved in the case correct answer: b. risking the integrity of all evidence collected Forensic labs have a difficult time analyzing evidence: a. that is not collected using appropriate techniques b. that is not directly associated with the case c. that other agencies have collected and transported d. used in multiple cases e. that does not have the investigator's name on it correct answer: a. that is not collected using appropriate techniques A "standard" of comparison is used to: a. judge the relative size and shape of collected evidence b. attempt to make "before and after" comparisons c. show the material in its "natural" or "found as" state d. to compare characteristics (e.g., color, fading, texture, etc.) e. all of the above correct answer: e. all of the above When identifying and collecting trace evidence at the scene, the investigator should do all EXCEPT ONE of the following: a. identify the methods necessary to "lift" or remove necessary trace evidence b. Take a photograph of the body, showing where the evidence is located c. Select an appropriate means to package or preserve the evidence d. Collect hair samples prior to examination by the medical examiner or coroner e. Determine the specialist that should be called to analyze the evidence (if necessary) correct answer: d. Collect hair samples prior to examination by the medical examiner or coroner
If a body is not identified within a reasonable time, the investigator should: a. have the body buried, after having exhausted all scientific methods of investigation b. put an ad in the newspaper with a description of the body and ask for the public's assistance in the identification c. keep the body for a reasonable time and see whether anyone telephones the office looking for a missing person who fits the description of the unidentified individual d. contact the local PD and complete an NCIC form e. all of the above correct answer: e. all of the above If a dead person has been identified and the family has been notified of the death but refuses to take responsibility for disposing of the body, it is the investigator's responsibility to: a. notify the family of the office procedures that will be followed to dispose of the body b. call civic and religious organizations to see whether they have any funds to bury unclaimed bodies c. find the least expensive way to dispose of the body and do so quickly to alleviate crowding in the morgue d. keep the body and call the family every two to three days to see whether they have changed their minds and will now take responsibility for disposing of it. correct answer: a. notify the family of the office procedures that will be followed to dispose of the body Decomposition Greenish discoloration of the right lower abdomen correct answer: 24 hours (1 day) Decomposition Greenish discoloration of the abdomen correct answer: 24-36 hours (1-1.5 days) Decomposition Marbling, bloating of the face correct answer: 36-48 hours (1.5-2 days) Decomposition Desiccation (drying) of the fingertips correct answer: 48-60 hours (2-2.5 days) Decomposition Bloating of the body, purging correct answer: 60-72 hours (2.5-3 days) Decomposition Skin blebs, hair sloughing, skin slippage correct answer: 4-7 days Decomposition dehydration of body tissues correct answer: days-weeks Decomposition adipocere, mummification, skeletonization correct answer: weeks-months Cardinal signs of death (5) correct answer: lack of pulse and respiration absence of a heartbeat
lack of corneal reflex (blinking) and pupillary constriction coolness of the body rigor and livor mortis tardieu spots correct answer: pinpoint hemorrhages caused by advanced stages of livor mortis where skin capillaries rupture Contusion correct answer: bruise-crushing the tissue and tearing small blood vessels, which releases blood into the surrounding tissues Blunt force trauma Contusion timeline Recent, 2-3 days, 5-7 days correct answer: Recent- purple 2-3 days- yellow/red 5-7 days- yellow green Abrasion correct answer: Scraping of the superficial layer of the skin by friction created by blunt-force trauma -May be linear (scratch) -Broad and confluent like road rash Laceration correct answer: Tearing of the skin and soft tissue caused by blunt force trauma -presence of abraded skin surround the edge of a tear, bridging blood vessels and nerves across the wound -most cases, laceration has irregular edges Incisions correct answer: Sharp force injury -clean cuts caused by a sharp instrument -nerves and blood vessels are sharply cut Stab wound correct answer: sharp force injury- an incised wound that is deeper than it is wide dicing injury correct answer: typical in MVC- caused by fractured glass hitting passenger's faces, ice cube shape Raccoon eyes correct answer: fracturing of the internal front skull that results in hemorrhage or ecchymosis surrounding the eyes First degree burns correct answer: superficial, similar to sunburn Second degree burns correct answer: Damage to upper layers of skin, identified as blisters, which may result in scarring Third degree burns correct answer: Deep and through the entire skin, requiring skin grafting Fourth degree burns correct answer: demonstrated by severe charring of tissues
e. leave the ring on the victim. Document all jewelry and personal property on the decedent. Place the decedent's hands in paper bags secured by tape at the wrist, and transport the body to the morgue. correct answer: e. leave the ring on the victim. Document all jewelry and personal property on the decedent. Place the decedent's hands in paper bags secured by tape at the wrist, and transport the body to the morgue. As you being your new job, one of the most important things to remember is: a. to identify the informal leaders in the agency, and take your lead from them b. to maintain a good attitude by reading, listening, and asking questions c. to be at work within five minutes of starting time d. to try not to be better on the job than the regular employees e. to read the policy manual after you learn from the other employees correct answer: b. to maintain a good attitude by reading, listening, and asking questions In court, it is TRUE that: a. notes cannot be used to refresh the memory while on the witness stand b. defense counsel may examine notes used on the stand c. notes cannot be shown to the jury d. defense counsel cannot read the notes aloud in court e. the judge will not allow investigator's scene notes to be used in the courtroom at all correct answer: a. notes cannot be used to refresh the memory while on the witness stand A videotaped scene recreation shown to a jury is called: a. reproductive evidence b. physical evidence c. demonstrative evidence d. photographic evidence e. trace evidence correct answer: a. reproductive evidence Testimonial evidence refers to: a. the competence of the witness b. the factual evidence as presented in court c. the verbal evidence as presented in court d. models, skeletons, photographs, and x-rays as explained in court e. the competence of trial lawyers correct answer: c. the verbal evidence as presented in court What drugs/substances cause oxygen deprivation? correct answer: carbon monoxide, cyanide What drugs/substances cause arrhythmias? correct answer: tricyclic antidepressants, cardiac drugs, cocaine, dilantin What drugs/substances cause liver necrosis? correct answer: acetaminophen What drugs/substances cause electrolyte imbalance? correct answer: salicylate (aspirin) ethylene glycol
What drugs/substances cause seizures? correct answer: diphenhydramine, ethanol What drugs/substances cause tissue necrosis? correct answer: caustic agents (Drano) What drugs/substances cause chemical poisons? correct answer: lead, arsenic, cyanide Body planes/positions: coronal correct answer: front and back- divides to anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) Body planes/positions: mid-sagittal correct answer: divides body into right and left halves Body planes/positions: transverse correct answer: divides body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior) Body planes/positions: superior correct answer: top of the head Body planes/positions: inferior correct answer: surface toward the feet Body planes/positions: anterior correct answer: refers to the front surface of the body, ventral Body planes/positions: posterior correct answer: refers to the surface facing toward the back of the body, dorsal Body planes/positions: lateral correct answer: surface or portion of the body that points toward the side or away from the midline of body Body planes/positions: medial correct answer: describes any surface or portion of the body that points or faces toward the midline of body Body planes/positions: proximal correct answer: describes a relative position that is closer to the central portion of the body or origin of structure Body planes/positions: distal correct answer: refers to a relative position that is farther away from the central portion of the body or origin of structure Body planes/positions:
a. the combination of autopsy findings and a history of submersion b. water or fluid in the stomach c. a history of the body being submerged d. water or fluid in the lungs e. absence of traumatic injury correct answer: a. the combination of autopsy findings and a history of submersion As an investigator, which of the following injuries would make you most suspect child battering? a. fracture of long bones b. injuries inconsistent with the explained mode of injury c. a history of a fall d. thermal burns to the body e. bruises to the body correct answer: b. injuries inconsistent with the explained mode of injury Identifiable soot detected in the airway of a fire victim indicates which one of the following? a. breathing during the fire b. an artifact caused by the fire c. charring of the human tissue during the fire d. the victim was a heavy smoker e. the death was the result of the fire correct answer: a. breathing during the fire The most common causes of physical traumatic death in child abuse cases are: a. poisoning and drugs b. subdural hematoma and/or intraabdominal hemorrhage c. fractured ribs and upper arms d. stab wounds and incisions e. thermal burns correct answer: b. subdural hematoma and/or intraabdominal hemorrhage Factors that affect the body's cooling rate include all of the following EXCEPT: a. body size b. ambient temperature c. gender of the individual d. amount of clothing e. position at the scene correct answer: c. gender of the individual All of the following items are useful in estimating the time of death EXCEPT: a. rigor mortis b. maggot infestations c. newspapers accumulated at the scene d. the amount of blood present at the scene e. blanching of lividity correct answer: d. the amount of blood present at the scene Blunt force injuries that tear tissue and expose the nerve and blood vessels beneath the skin are most appropriately described as: a. incisions b. lacerations
c. contusions d. abrasions e. stab wounds correct answer: b. lacerations An intermediate-range gunshot wound is identifiable by: a. powder residue inside the entrance wound b. bullet wipe surrounding the entrance wound c. multiple unburned powder particles surrounding the entrance wound/clothing d. a gray smudge or smoke residue on the clothing e. no evidence of powder disposition correct answer: c. multiple unburned powder particles surrounding the entrance wound/clothing A distant-range gunshot wound is identifiable by: a. stippling or tattooing surrounding the wound b. soot surrounding the wound c. an absence of gunshot residue surrounding the wound and/or clothing d. fouling surrounding the wound e. soot within the wound correct answer: c. an absence of gunshot residue surrounding the wound and/or clothing Which of the following statements regarding maggots infesting a body is TRUE? a. an autopsy performed on a maggot-infested body cannot be useful b. maggots cannot be used to assist in estimating the time of death c. maggots do not occur in bodies that have been dead for more than two weeks d. maggots grow at predictable rates, depending on the climate and temperature e. an expert who studies maggots is the odontologist correct answer: d. maggots grow at predictable rates, depending on the climate and temperature Additional information that should be sought in cases of suspected child abuse includes: a. whether one parent was absent at the time of injury b. whether a non-natural parent or paramour was the caregiver of the victim at the time of injury c. photographs of the object causing injury or the place of injury d. previous injuries suffered by the child e. all of the above correct answer: e. all of the above Suicide investigations are difficult because a. social and cultural stigmas often make witnesses uncooperative b. insurance benefits are sometimes negated by a finding of suicide c. both a and b d. the cause of death is seldom apparent e. suicide notes are never present at the scene correct answer: c. both a and b -ectomy correct answer: procedure done to remove something -ostomy correct answer: procedure in which an artificial opening is created
