ABMDI - American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators Forensic Science Applications Questions and Answers

Question 1

An investigator finds a body in a wooded area during the summer with significant insect activity, primarily maggots.
For a forensic entomologist to provide the most accurate analysis, what is the most critical evidence for the investigator to collect AT THE SCENE?

Accepted Answer

A representative sample of live insect specimens from on and around the body, and the ambient air temperature.

Answer

A photograph of the insect activity from a distance of 10 feet.

Answer

Only the single largest maggot found on the body to represent the longest-colonizing species.

Answer

The exact number of maggots present on the body.

Question 2

In a suspected overdose death where the body is moderately decomposed, which biological sample is often considered the most stable and reliable for toxicological analysis?

Accepted Answer

Vitreous humor (fluid from the eye).

Answer

Blood from the heart (cardiac blood).

Answer

Urine from the bladder.

Answer

Stomach contents.

Question 3

At the scene of a death, the decedent's smartphone is found powered on and lying next to the body. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the death investigator to take to preserve potential digital evidence?

Accepted Answer

Place the phone in a Faraday bag or aluminum foil and transport it to the proper agency for forensic analysis.

Answer

Attempt to unlock the phone using common passcodes to look for relevant messages or notes.

Answer

Power the phone off immediately to preserve battery life for later analysis.

Answer

Leave the phone at the scene for the family to collect.

Question 4

A forensic anthropologist is examining skeletonized remains from a homicide case. Which of the following can they most reliably determine from the bones?

Accepted Answer

Evidence of perimortem sharp force trauma.

Answer

The decedent's exact time of death.

Answer

The identity of the assailant.

Answer

The official cause of death.

Question 5

An investigator is at the scene of a homicide. The suspected weapon, a metal pipe, has no visible blood or fingerprints. To maximize the chance of recovering the perpetrator's "touch DNA," the investigator should swab which area of the pipe?

Accepted Answer

The textured grip or handle area where the pipe was most likely held.

Answer

The end of the pipe that likely made contact with the victim.

Answer

The entire surface of the pipe using a single swab.

Answer

A smooth, unmarked section in the middle of the pipe.

Question 6

Which of the following scenarios would most benefit from the application of forensic botany?

Accepted Answer

A body discovered in a shallow grave in a remote forest.

Answer

A drowning that occurred in a chlorinated public swimming pool.

Answer

A death resulting from a fall inside a high-rise apartment building.

Answer

A death investigated within a sterile laboratory environment.

An investigator finds a body in a wooded area during the summer with significant insect activity, primarily maggots.For a forensic entomologist to provide the most accurate analysis, what is the most critical evidence for the investigator to collect AT THE SCENE?

An investigator finds a body in a wooded area during the summer with significant insect activity, primarily maggots.
For a forensic entomologist to provide the most accurate analysis, what is the most critical evidence for the investigator to collect AT THE SCENE?