ABMDI Medicolegal Death Investigation 2

Question 1

Which postmortem change involves the settling of blood in dependent body areas due to gravity after circulation stops?

Accepted Answer

Livor mortis

Answer

Livor mortis (also called lividity or hypostasis) is the purplish discoloration caused by blood pooling in dependent tissues after the heart stops pumping.

Question 2

An MDI arrives where the decedent is found face-down but lividity is fixed on the back. This finding most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

The body was moved after lividity fixed

Answer

When fixed lividity on the back is inconsistent with the face-down position, it indicates the body was repositioned after lividity became fixed, typically 8-12 hours post-death.

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of the chain of custody in a death investigation?

Accepted Answer

To ensure evidence integrity and admissibility in court

Answer

Chain of custody documents every person who handles evidence, ensuring its integrity is maintained and that it will be admissible in legal proceedings.

Question 4

During a scene investigation, the MDI observes maggot activity on the decedent. What is the primary investigative value of this finding?

Accepted Answer

Assists in estimating postmortem interval

Answer

Forensic entomology uses insect activity including maggot species and development stage to estimate the postmortem interval (time since death).

Question 5

Which best describes the difference between cause of death and mechanism of death?

Accepted Answer

Cause is the disease or injury; mechanism is the physiological derangement leading to death

Answer

Cause of death is the disease or injury that initiated the fatal sequence; mechanism of death is the physiological abnormality (e.g., cardiac arrest) that directly caused death.

ABMDI - American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators Practice Test

ABMDI - American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators Practice Test

ABMDI Medicolegal Death Investigation 2