ABMDI Scene Assessment and Death Investigation Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of death scene search pattern is most appropriate for a large outdoor scene?
- Random search
- Grid or zone search pattern (Correct answer)
- Inward spiral only
- Straight-line search from a single point
Correct answer: Grid or zone search pattern
A grid or zone search pattern ensures systematic, thorough coverage of large outdoor death scenes with minimal risk of missing evidence.
Question 2: A decomposed body is found in a residence. What environmental condition most significantly accelerates decomposition?
- Cold, dry climate
- High humidity and warm temperatures (Correct answer)
- Low humidity and moderate temperature
- Air conditioning running in the building
Correct answer: High humidity and warm temperatures
High humidity combined with warm temperatures creates optimal conditions for microbial and insect activity that accelerates decomposition.
Question 3: When photographing a death scene, what is the correct sequence for photography?
- Close-up, mid-range, then overview
- Overview, mid-range, then close-up (Correct answer)
- Only close-up photos are necessary
- Photos are taken at random to capture everything
Correct answer: Overview, mid-range, then close-up
The standard photography sequence begins with overview shots to establish context, followed by mid-range and then close-up detail photographs.
Question 4: Which of the following is a valid reason for a medical examiner to assume jurisdiction over a death that occurred in a hospital?
- The patient died after a prolonged illness with a known diagnosis
- The patient died as a result of an injury sustained within 24 hours of admission (Correct answer)
- The patient was elderly
- The attending physician certified the cause of death
Correct answer: The patient died as a result of an injury sustained within 24 hours of admission
Deaths resulting from trauma or injury, especially when the injury occurred within a defined period before death, fall under medical examiner jurisdiction.
Question 5: What does 'chain of custody' mean in the context of death investigation?
- The order in which scene personnel arrived
- Documented tracking of evidence from collection through disposition (Correct answer)
- The hierarchy of authority at a death scene
- The list of all agencies involved in an investigation
Correct answer: Documented tracking of evidence from collection through disposition
Chain of custody is the documented, unbroken record of who collected, handled, transferred, and stored evidence from scene to court.
Question 6: An MDI encounters a scene where family members have moved the body before arrival. What is the most important immediate action?
- Return the body to its original position based on witness description
- Document what witnesses report about the original position and collect available evidence (Correct answer)
- Cancel the investigation since the scene is compromised
- Arrest the family members for tampering
Correct answer: Document what witnesses report about the original position and collect available evidence
When a scene has been disturbed, documenting witness accounts of the original position and collecting remaining evidence is the correct approach.
ABMDI Scene Assessment and Death Investigation Procedures 2
Which type of death scene search pattern is most appropriate for a large outdoor scene?