ABMDI - American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators Investigating Infant and Child Deaths Questions and Answers

Question 1

An investigator is called to the scene of a 4-month-old infant found unresponsive by a parent.
To best document the infant's position and the specific circumstances of the sleep environment as they were found, which specialized technique is recommended by the CDC and the National Association of Medical Examiners?

Accepted Answer

Using a doll to re-enact the infant's placed and found positions.

Answer

Relying solely on the parent's verbal description.

Answer

Taking photographs of the crib after the bedding has been removed.

Answer

Measuring the room's dimensions and creating a hand-drawn sketch.

Question 2

A medicolegal death investigator is examining a 2-year-old child and observes a series of well-demarcated bruises on the child's back that resemble the shape of a looped electrical cord. In the investigative report, this finding should be documented as:

Accepted Answer

A patterned injury.

Answer

Postmortem lividity.

Answer

Contusions of unknown origin.

Answer

Senile purpura.

Question 3

Which of the following is required before a medical examiner or coroner can certify the cause of death as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?

Accepted Answer

A thorough investigation, including a complete autopsy and scene review, reveals no other cause of death.

Answer

The infant must be between 6 and 12 months of age.

Answer

The parents must report the infant was sleeping in a crib.

Answer

An unsafe sleep environment must be documented at the scene.

Question 4

During an investigation into the sudden, unexpected death of an infant, which of the following pieces of information obtained from the caregivers is MOST critical for the investigator to document?

Accepted Answer

A detailed timeline of the infant's activities, feeding, and sleep in the 24 hours preceding death.

Answer

The brand of formula the infant was consuming.

Answer

The parents' marital status and employment history.

Answer

The make and model of the family vehicle.

Question 5

An investigator arrives at a home where a 3-month-old infant was found deceased in a crib. The infant has already been transported to the hospital. To assist the pathologist's examination, what evidence from the scene should the investigator make the highest priority to collect and transport with the body?

Accepted Answer

The soft bedding, blankets, and pillows the infant was found with.

Answer

The infant's diaper bag from the living room.

Answer

A sample of the carpet from the infant's room.

Answer

The entire crib structure for forensic analysis.

Question 6

Which of the following findings on an infant would be LEAST likely to be caused by a simple accidental fall from a low height (e.g., rolling off a sofa) and would require a higher level of suspicion for non-accidental trauma?

Accepted Answer

Multiple fractures in different stages of healing.

Answer

A single, linear skull fracture.

Answer

A small bruise on the forehead.

Answer

A scrape on the knee.