ABMDI Toxicology and Drug-Related Deaths 3

Question 1

A body is discovered with a distinctive cherry-red color to the skin and lividity. Which toxic exposure does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Answer

Carbon monoxide binds hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin, which gives the skin and lividity a distinctive bright cherry-red or pink color.

Question 2

What is the primary concern when an MDI suspects a clandestine drug laboratory at a scene?

Accepted Answer

Personal safety from toxic chemical exposure and explosion hazards before entering

Answer

Clandestine drug labs contain highly toxic, flammable, and explosive chemicals requiring the MDI to ensure personal safety and call for hazmat response before entering.

Question 3

In toxicology reporting, what does 'presumptive positive' mean?

Accepted Answer

A preliminary screening result indicating possible presence of a substance, requiring confirmatory testing

Answer

A presumptive positive is a preliminary screening result suggesting a substance may be present, but it requires confirmatory testing by a more specific method before it can be used as legal evidence.

Question 4

What does 'blood alcohol concentration' (BAC) measure and what is the legal limit for driving in most US states?

Accepted Answer

The grams of alcohol per 100 mL of blood; 0.08%

Answer

BAC is measured as grams of ethanol per 100 mL of blood (expressed as a percentage), and 0.08% is the standard legal impairment limit for driving in most US states.

Question 5

Which of the following drug categories is associated with miosis (pinpoint pupils) as a clinical sign, which may still be observable at death scene examination?

Accepted Answer

Opioids such as heroin or morphine

Answer

Opioids cause miosis (constriction of the pupils to pinpoint size) through their effect on the autonomic nervous system, a sign that may persist postmortem.

ABMDI - American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators Practice Test

ABMDI - American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators Practice Test

ABMDI Toxicology and Drug-Related Deaths 3