AMERICAN BOARD OF MEDICOLEGAL
DEATH INVESTIGATORS EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 2026 FULL SOLUTION VIEW AHEAD
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
◉When you are approached by the NOK who has some questions
regarding the autopsy findings of a natural death, which of the
following would be the most appropriate response?
a. refer them to the dpt's admin to get a signed release of
information form before releasing findings
b. refer them directly to the pathologist who performed the autopsy
c. discuss the autopsy findings with the NOK. If needed, direct them
to the pathologist who performed the autopsy.
d. release your medical interpretation of the pathologist's COD
e. advise them to have their family dr. explain the autopsy findings to
them. Answer: c. discuss the autopsy findings with the NOK. If
needed, direct them to the pathologist who performed the autopsy.
◉If you are discussing an old suicide case with a family member
who presents new evidence, you must:
a. contact the DA at once
,b. reestablish contact with the pathologist and the investigating
agency to provide the new info
c. be ready for and patient with family denial
d. ask who will benefit from the insurance policies if the death was
not a suicide
e. promise to reinvestigate with the FBI then do it. Answer: b.
reestablish contact with the pathologist and the investigating agency
to provide the new info
◉You receive confirmation that a previously unidentified victim of
homicide has been positively ID'd by fingerprints. You should first:
a. notify the media
b. notify the proper LE agency
c. document the ID in the case file
d. inform your supervisor
e. notify NOK. Answer: c. document the ID in the case file
◉In a 2 day old homicide case, the pathologist identified the COD as
six stab wounds to the chest and neck. When the victim's father
telephones to ask for details of the autopsy results, you should:
a. explain that bc no suspect has been identified the results are being
revealed only to the investigative agency at the present time
,b. explain that because no suspect has been identified the results are
being revealed only to the family and investigative agency at the
present time and that he must not reveal them to anyone else
c. inform him of the 6 stab wounds to the chest and neck
d. tell him that no info will be released until a suspect is in custody
e. do nothing. Answer: a. explain that bc no suspect has been
identified the results are being revealed only to the investigative
agency at the present time
◉When interviewing family members before they view the
deceased, be sure to:
a. advise them that they will not be allowed to touch the body
b. describe the basic procedures that the ME performed
c. make sincere sounding excuses for the time delay before the body
can be released
d. explain that the victim's personal property can be released only to
a funeral director
e. describe what they are about to see step by step. Answer: e.
describe what they are about to see step by step
◉A clandestine methamphetamine laboratory has exploded, and the
chemist's body is on the scene. You may undertake your scene
investigation when:
a. the staging area has been erected
, b. the police and FD think the scene is safe
c. the FD and hazardous materials team think the scene is safe
d. the FD and police chief have completed their investigation
e. proper safety precautions have been taken. Answer: e. proper
safety precautions have been taken/c. the FD and hazardous
materials team think the scene is safe
◉You arrive at an outdoor homicide scene, and you find that the
crime scene tape binds too small a perimeter. Onlookers and media
are beginning to gather. You should:
a. not "fuel" the crowd by moving them because the scene has
already been contaminated
b. remove the body from the scene as quickly as possible to prevent
creating an unruly mob and hostile media
c. immediately take down the tape and enlarge the perimeter
d. tell the investigating police agency to begin arresting onlookers if
they cannot control themselves
e. keep the tape in place and instruct the investigating agency to
enlarge the perimeter. Answer: e. keep the tape in place and instruct
the investigating agency to enlarge the perimeter
◉The police notify your office of a death and tell you that the subject
was pronounced dead by a home health care nurse who is an LPN.
Can the pronouncement be valid?
DEATH INVESTIGATORS EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 2026 FULL SOLUTION VIEW AHEAD
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
◉When you are approached by the NOK who has some questions
regarding the autopsy findings of a natural death, which of the
following would be the most appropriate response?
a. refer them to the dpt's admin to get a signed release of
information form before releasing findings
b. refer them directly to the pathologist who performed the autopsy
c. discuss the autopsy findings with the NOK. If needed, direct them
to the pathologist who performed the autopsy.
d. release your medical interpretation of the pathologist's COD
e. advise them to have their family dr. explain the autopsy findings to
them. Answer: c. discuss the autopsy findings with the NOK. If
needed, direct them to the pathologist who performed the autopsy.
◉If you are discussing an old suicide case with a family member
who presents new evidence, you must:
a. contact the DA at once
,b. reestablish contact with the pathologist and the investigating
agency to provide the new info
c. be ready for and patient with family denial
d. ask who will benefit from the insurance policies if the death was
not a suicide
e. promise to reinvestigate with the FBI then do it. Answer: b.
reestablish contact with the pathologist and the investigating agency
to provide the new info
◉You receive confirmation that a previously unidentified victim of
homicide has been positively ID'd by fingerprints. You should first:
a. notify the media
b. notify the proper LE agency
c. document the ID in the case file
d. inform your supervisor
e. notify NOK. Answer: c. document the ID in the case file
◉In a 2 day old homicide case, the pathologist identified the COD as
six stab wounds to the chest and neck. When the victim's father
telephones to ask for details of the autopsy results, you should:
a. explain that bc no suspect has been identified the results are being
revealed only to the investigative agency at the present time
,b. explain that because no suspect has been identified the results are
being revealed only to the family and investigative agency at the
present time and that he must not reveal them to anyone else
c. inform him of the 6 stab wounds to the chest and neck
d. tell him that no info will be released until a suspect is in custody
e. do nothing. Answer: a. explain that bc no suspect has been
identified the results are being revealed only to the investigative
agency at the present time
◉When interviewing family members before they view the
deceased, be sure to:
a. advise them that they will not be allowed to touch the body
b. describe the basic procedures that the ME performed
c. make sincere sounding excuses for the time delay before the body
can be released
d. explain that the victim's personal property can be released only to
a funeral director
e. describe what they are about to see step by step. Answer: e.
describe what they are about to see step by step
◉A clandestine methamphetamine laboratory has exploded, and the
chemist's body is on the scene. You may undertake your scene
investigation when:
a. the staging area has been erected
, b. the police and FD think the scene is safe
c. the FD and hazardous materials team think the scene is safe
d. the FD and police chief have completed their investigation
e. proper safety precautions have been taken. Answer: e. proper
safety precautions have been taken/c. the FD and hazardous
materials team think the scene is safe
◉You arrive at an outdoor homicide scene, and you find that the
crime scene tape binds too small a perimeter. Onlookers and media
are beginning to gather. You should:
a. not "fuel" the crowd by moving them because the scene has
already been contaminated
b. remove the body from the scene as quickly as possible to prevent
creating an unruly mob and hostile media
c. immediately take down the tape and enlarge the perimeter
d. tell the investigating police agency to begin arresting onlookers if
they cannot control themselves
e. keep the tape in place and instruct the investigating agency to
enlarge the perimeter. Answer: e. keep the tape in place and instruct
the investigating agency to enlarge the perimeter
◉The police notify your office of a death and tell you that the subject
was pronounced dead by a home health care nurse who is an LPN.
Can the pronouncement be valid?
