ABMDI EXAM - TEXTBOOK
CHAPTERS 7 & 8 2026 ACTUAL
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
Cardinal signs of death
-Lack of pulse and respiration
-Absence of a heartbeat
-Lack of corneal reflexes and pupillary constriction
-Coolness of the body
-Rigor mortis
-Livor mortis
Rigor mortis
-The stiffening of the body in response to elevation of lactic acid
in the muscles of a dead person
-Starts in the smaller muscles of the jaw and later extends to
the arms and finally the legs
-The speed at which rigor leaves the body follows the same
pattern as above
-Onset and duration depends on environmental factors, muscle
size, and muscle activity (seizures)
-Onset and dissipation is more rapid in children
-Appears 2 to 4 hours after death, maxes between 8 to 12
hours
Livor mortis
-The gravitational pooling of blood after death
-Plum colored blushing that usually blanches when gentle
,pressure i applied
-As the interval of death extends, the livor becomes fixes and
the skin capillaries often rupture and cause pinpoint
hemorrhages known as tardieu spots; commonly seen in lower
extremities of hanging victims
-Appears between 2 to 4 hours after death, becomes fixed
between 8 to 12 hours
Eye changes
-Corneal clouding (1-2 hours after death)
-Sclera dryness (tache noire)
Algor mortis
-Cooling of body after death
-Affected by body dimensions, posture, clothing, ambient
temperature, air movement, and surroundings
-Rectal temperature may be needed; leave in for 3-5 minutes
What happens 24 hours after death?
Greenish discoloration of the right lower abdomen
What happens 24-36 hours after death?
Greenish discoloration of the abdomen
What happens 36-48 hours after death?
Marbling, bloating of face
What happens 48-60 hours after death?
Desiccation (drying) of fingertips
What happens 6-72 hours after death?
Bloating of the body, purging
What happens 4-7 days after death?
,Skin blebs, hair sloughing, skin slippage
What happens days-weeks after death?
Dehydration of body tissues
What happens weeks-months after death?
Adipocere, mummification, skeletonization
External examination
The investigator must carefully examine the body for potential
evidence, injuries, and disease in order to preserve evidence
and alert the pathologist to the need for autopsy; most
important function of the MDI; head to toe examination is most
common
Head examination
-SCALP: examine the scalp for hidden trauma, account for any
blood that's been identified
-EARS: inspect the ears for hemorrhage or foreign bodies
-EYES: evaluate the eyes for petechial hemorrhage, icterus
(jaundice), or hemorrhage
-MOUTH: inspect the oral cavity for trauma, foreign bodies, or
poor hygiene
-NOSE: inspect the nasal septum for perforation due to chronic
cocaine abuse
Neck
-View the posterior neck
-Examine for large lymph nodes, thyroid, and/or masses
-Palpate the neck with passive flexion and extension to reveal
fx
-Do not recover specimens from the neck veins of homicide
victims; may create trauma
, Chest
-Examine the dimension of the chest
-Document the anterior/posterior size
-An enlarged, barrel-shaped chest is a sign of chronic lung
disease
-Palpate the breasts for any masses
Abdomen
-Palpate the abdomen to detect the presence of fluid or
masses; excessive fluid may represent liver cirrhosis or failure
-Document any surgical incisions
External genitalia
-Examine for masses, ulcerations, surgery, or circumcision in
males
-Examine for prolapse of the uterus, masses, trauma, and
ulcerations in females
Lower extremities
-Review the symmetry of the limbs
-Fxs of the hip are usually indicated by the shortening and
external rotation of the limbs
-Look for trauma, fxs, burns, and scratches
-Ascertain the presence of edema or brown discoloration
suggestive of CHF
-Review the joints for evidence of remote surgery or disease
Upper extremities
-ARMS: examine for symmetry and trauma
-FINGERNAILS: examine the color and appearance; torn or
fractured nails may indicate a struggle
-ANTECUBITAL FOSSAE: examine for the presence of
CHAPTERS 7 & 8 2026 ACTUAL
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
Cardinal signs of death
-Lack of pulse and respiration
-Absence of a heartbeat
-Lack of corneal reflexes and pupillary constriction
-Coolness of the body
-Rigor mortis
-Livor mortis
Rigor mortis
-The stiffening of the body in response to elevation of lactic acid
in the muscles of a dead person
-Starts in the smaller muscles of the jaw and later extends to
the arms and finally the legs
-The speed at which rigor leaves the body follows the same
pattern as above
-Onset and duration depends on environmental factors, muscle
size, and muscle activity (seizures)
-Onset and dissipation is more rapid in children
-Appears 2 to 4 hours after death, maxes between 8 to 12
hours
Livor mortis
-The gravitational pooling of blood after death
-Plum colored blushing that usually blanches when gentle
,pressure i applied
-As the interval of death extends, the livor becomes fixes and
the skin capillaries often rupture and cause pinpoint
hemorrhages known as tardieu spots; commonly seen in lower
extremities of hanging victims
-Appears between 2 to 4 hours after death, becomes fixed
between 8 to 12 hours
Eye changes
-Corneal clouding (1-2 hours after death)
-Sclera dryness (tache noire)
Algor mortis
-Cooling of body after death
-Affected by body dimensions, posture, clothing, ambient
temperature, air movement, and surroundings
-Rectal temperature may be needed; leave in for 3-5 minutes
What happens 24 hours after death?
Greenish discoloration of the right lower abdomen
What happens 24-36 hours after death?
Greenish discoloration of the abdomen
What happens 36-48 hours after death?
Marbling, bloating of face
What happens 48-60 hours after death?
Desiccation (drying) of fingertips
What happens 6-72 hours after death?
Bloating of the body, purging
What happens 4-7 days after death?
,Skin blebs, hair sloughing, skin slippage
What happens days-weeks after death?
Dehydration of body tissues
What happens weeks-months after death?
Adipocere, mummification, skeletonization
External examination
The investigator must carefully examine the body for potential
evidence, injuries, and disease in order to preserve evidence
and alert the pathologist to the need for autopsy; most
important function of the MDI; head to toe examination is most
common
Head examination
-SCALP: examine the scalp for hidden trauma, account for any
blood that's been identified
-EARS: inspect the ears for hemorrhage or foreign bodies
-EYES: evaluate the eyes for petechial hemorrhage, icterus
(jaundice), or hemorrhage
-MOUTH: inspect the oral cavity for trauma, foreign bodies, or
poor hygiene
-NOSE: inspect the nasal septum for perforation due to chronic
cocaine abuse
Neck
-View the posterior neck
-Examine for large lymph nodes, thyroid, and/or masses
-Palpate the neck with passive flexion and extension to reveal
fx
-Do not recover specimens from the neck veins of homicide
victims; may create trauma
, Chest
-Examine the dimension of the chest
-Document the anterior/posterior size
-An enlarged, barrel-shaped chest is a sign of chronic lung
disease
-Palpate the breasts for any masses
Abdomen
-Palpate the abdomen to detect the presence of fluid or
masses; excessive fluid may represent liver cirrhosis or failure
-Document any surgical incisions
External genitalia
-Examine for masses, ulcerations, surgery, or circumcision in
males
-Examine for prolapse of the uterus, masses, trauma, and
ulcerations in females
Lower extremities
-Review the symmetry of the limbs
-Fxs of the hip are usually indicated by the shortening and
external rotation of the limbs
-Look for trauma, fxs, burns, and scratches
-Ascertain the presence of edema or brown discoloration
suggestive of CHF
-Review the joints for evidence of remote surgery or disease
Upper extremities
-ARMS: examine for symmetry and trauma
-FINGERNAILS: examine the color and appearance; torn or
fractured nails may indicate a struggle
-ANTECUBITAL FOSSAE: examine for the presence of
