ABFM Study Guide 2026

Sealing evidence in tamper-evident packaging immediately after collection is crucial to protect its integrity. The seal ensures that the evidence remains undisturbed and unaltered from the point of collection until it reaches the laboratory or court. This practice is a fundamental component of maintaining the chain of custody, proving that the evidence has not been compromised.

Forensic toxicology is the application of toxicology for legal purposes, primarily focusing on the detection and identification of drugs, poisons, and other chemical substances in biological samples. Its main goal is to determine if these substances were present and contributed to a person's death or impairment. This analysis is crucial for understanding the cause and circumstances of death in suspected poisoning or drug overdose cases.

Forensic entomologists use insect evidence to estimate the postmortem interval and can detect scene inconsistencies suggesting the body was relocated.

Skeletonization is the final decomposition stage where all soft tissue has been removed, leaving only bone.

Postmortem redistribution (PMR) refers to the phenomenon where drug concentrations in various tissues and fluids change after death. This occurs due to continued diffusion from highly concentrated organs into surrounding blood, as well as cellular breakdown. Consequently, drug levels measured in postmortem samples may not accurately reflect the concentration at the time of death, posing a significant challenge for forensic toxicologists.

The bloat stage follows the fresh stage and is marked by gas production from anaerobic bacteria causing visible distension of the body.