ABFM Professional Standards & Competencies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a forensic physician is asked by an attorney to alter findings in a report to favor their client, the appropriate response is:
- Amend the report if the change is minor
- Refuse and document the request (Correct answer)
- Consult the opposing counsel first
- Report findings verbally instead
Correct answer: Refuse and document the request
Forensic physicians must refuse requests to alter findings and should document such requests to protect their integrity.
Question 2: The principle of 'reasonable medical certainty' in forensic testimony means:
- Absolute scientific proof beyond any doubt
- More likely than not true based on medical knowledge (Correct answer)
- Unanimously agreed upon by all experts
- Confirmed by laboratory analysis only
Correct answer: More likely than not true based on medical knowledge
Reasonable medical certainty means the opinion is more probable than not, typically exceeding 50% likelihood based on medical knowledge.
Question 3: A forensic medicine expert witness discovers mid-trial that their initial report contained a calculation error. They should:
- Continue testimony without mentioning the error
- Immediately notify the retaining attorney only
- Disclose the error to the court and correct the record (Correct answer)
- Withdraw from the case entirely
Correct answer: Disclose the error to the court and correct the record
Expert witnesses have a duty to the court requiring disclosure and correction of errors regardless of which party it may disadvantage.
Question 4: Which body primarily governs the ethical standards for board-certified forensic medicine physicians in the US?
- American Medical Association only
- State medical licensing boards only
- American Board of Forensic Medicine and relevant specialty boards (Correct answer)
- Federal Drug Enforcement Administration
Correct answer: American Board of Forensic Medicine and relevant specialty boards
The ABFM, along with relevant specialty boards and state licensing authorities, collectively govern professional and ethical standards for certified forensic physicians.
Question 5: Daubert standards, as applied to forensic medicine testimony, primarily require that expert opinions be:
- Based solely on personal clinical experience
- Derived from generally accepted methods in the scientific community (Correct answer)
- Supported by peer-reviewed publications only
- Agreed upon by at least three independent experts
Correct answer: Derived from generally accepted methods in the scientific community
Under Daubert, courts evaluate whether expert methods are scientifically reliable and generally accepted, not merely personally experienced.
Question 6: When performing an independent medical examination (IME) for a defense attorney, the forensic physician's primary duty is to:
- Advocate for the defendant's position
- Produce an objective, unbiased medical assessment (Correct answer)
- Mirror conclusions of the treating physician
- Minimize injury severity to reduce liability
Correct answer: Produce an objective, unbiased medical assessment
IME physicians must remain objective regardless of which party retains them, as their credibility depends on impartiality.
Question 7: Continuing medical education (CME) requirements for ABFM-certified physicians primarily serve to:
- Generate revenue for certifying bodies
- Ensure practitioners maintain current knowledge and competencies (Correct answer)
- Satisfy hospital credentialing requirements only
- Replace the need for peer review
Correct answer: Ensure practitioners maintain current knowledge and competencies
CME requirements exist to ensure forensic medicine practitioners stay current with evolving standards, science, and legal developments.
ABFM Professional Standards & Competencies 2
When a forensic physician is asked by an attorney to alter findings in a report to favor their client, the appropriate response is: