ABMDI Board Certification Questions
with Correct Answers
Barbituates - Correct Answer Four main categories:
1. Ultra-short-acting - used to induce surgical anesthesia
2. Short-acting
3. Intermediate-acting - used as sedative-hypnotics
4. Long-acting
Butalbital - Correct Answer Barbituate. Used in treatment of migraines
Phenobarbital - Correct Answer Barbituate. Used as anticonvulsant
Pentobarbital - Correct Answer Barbituate. Used to relieve intracranial pressure
following trauma
Atropine - Correct Answer Belladonna Alkaloid.
Derived from certain plants including jimsonweed and deadly nightshade. Used as a
preanesthetic therapy to control airway secretions and as a antispasmodic to control
gastrointestinal spasms. Used as an antidote in the treatment of poisoning by
cholinesterase inhibitors. Also used in resuscitative attempts
Toxic effects: mydriasis, hot dry reddened skin, delirium, and hallucinations
Scopalamine - Correct Answer Belladonna Alkaloid.
Derived from jimsonweed and henbane. Used as a preanesthetic, treatment of
Parkinsonism, gastrointestinal disorders, and prevention of motion sickness
Toxic effects: Blurred vision, dryness of throat, dilated pupils, somnolence, mydriasis,
skin flushing, hallucinations, and confusion
Benzodiazepines - Correct Answer Belladonna Alkaloid.
Used as anxiolytics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and as preoperative sedatives
Common benzos: alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam, and diazepam
Extensive hepatic metabolism
Adult flies caught at the scene need to be properly stored to send to the lab. This
involves: - Correct Answer Placing the flies in a glass vial containing 70% isopropyl
alcohol
Forensic scientists may use forensic entomology for all the following EXCEPT:
a. Estimate the duration of the postmortem range (PMI)
b. Detect drugs of abuse in maggot infested bodies
c. Detect the location of the body at the time of death
d. Collect DNA material left on the corpse in cases of sexual assault
e. Detect volatile hydrocarbons in fire death - Correct Answer e. Detect volatile
hydrocarbons in fire death
, Which of the following methods is the LEAST sensitive chromatographic technique:
a. High-pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC)
b. Liquid chromatography/Mass spectrometry
c. Thin-layer chromatography
d. Gas chromatography/Mass spectrometry
e. Gas chromatography - Correct Answer c. Thin-layer chromatography
Which ONE of the following drugs is responsible for the most intentional overdose
fatalities?:
a. Barbiturates
b. Propoxyphene
c. Benzodiazepines
d. Tricyclic Antidepressants
e. Antihistamines - Correct Answer d. Tricyclic Antidepressants
In scenes illuminated by bright sunlight, there will usually be dark shadow areas. Detail
in the deep shadow areas will be lost when the exposure is based on the overall
brightness of the scene. The brightness level in the shadow areas can be raised to the
overall brightness of the scene by using:
a. An alternate light source
b. Ultraviolet fluorescence
c. Flash-fill photography
d. An increased F-stop
e. A restricted aperture - Correct Answer c. Flash-fill photography
Using an alternate light source, you can identify stains that may contain samples of:
a. Serum
b. Semen
c. Saliva
d. Urine
e. All of the above - Correct Answer e. All of the above
When submitting tool mark evidence for examination, you should always:
a. Place the tool against the tool marked evidence
b. Make test cuts or impressions rather than submit the tool
c. Submit a cast of the tool mark
d. Refrain from collecting samples of any material deposited on the tools
e. All of the above - Correct Answer c. Submit a cast of the tool mark
With regards to investigating a scene where firearms were used, which ONE of the
following statements is FALSE?:
a. Bullet holes through doors can produce atypical entrance wounds
b. The presence of spent cartridges at the scene suggests a semi-automatic assault rifle
c. Fragments from intermediate targets can cause pseudo-stippling
d. A spent cartridge at the scene is most suggestive of a revolver-type handgun
with Correct Answers
Barbituates - Correct Answer Four main categories:
1. Ultra-short-acting - used to induce surgical anesthesia
2. Short-acting
3. Intermediate-acting - used as sedative-hypnotics
4. Long-acting
Butalbital - Correct Answer Barbituate. Used in treatment of migraines
Phenobarbital - Correct Answer Barbituate. Used as anticonvulsant
Pentobarbital - Correct Answer Barbituate. Used to relieve intracranial pressure
following trauma
Atropine - Correct Answer Belladonna Alkaloid.
Derived from certain plants including jimsonweed and deadly nightshade. Used as a
preanesthetic therapy to control airway secretions and as a antispasmodic to control
gastrointestinal spasms. Used as an antidote in the treatment of poisoning by
cholinesterase inhibitors. Also used in resuscitative attempts
Toxic effects: mydriasis, hot dry reddened skin, delirium, and hallucinations
Scopalamine - Correct Answer Belladonna Alkaloid.
Derived from jimsonweed and henbane. Used as a preanesthetic, treatment of
Parkinsonism, gastrointestinal disorders, and prevention of motion sickness
Toxic effects: Blurred vision, dryness of throat, dilated pupils, somnolence, mydriasis,
skin flushing, hallucinations, and confusion
Benzodiazepines - Correct Answer Belladonna Alkaloid.
Used as anxiolytics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and as preoperative sedatives
Common benzos: alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam, and diazepam
Extensive hepatic metabolism
Adult flies caught at the scene need to be properly stored to send to the lab. This
involves: - Correct Answer Placing the flies in a glass vial containing 70% isopropyl
alcohol
Forensic scientists may use forensic entomology for all the following EXCEPT:
a. Estimate the duration of the postmortem range (PMI)
b. Detect drugs of abuse in maggot infested bodies
c. Detect the location of the body at the time of death
d. Collect DNA material left on the corpse in cases of sexual assault
e. Detect volatile hydrocarbons in fire death - Correct Answer e. Detect volatile
hydrocarbons in fire death
, Which of the following methods is the LEAST sensitive chromatographic technique:
a. High-pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC)
b. Liquid chromatography/Mass spectrometry
c. Thin-layer chromatography
d. Gas chromatography/Mass spectrometry
e. Gas chromatography - Correct Answer c. Thin-layer chromatography
Which ONE of the following drugs is responsible for the most intentional overdose
fatalities?:
a. Barbiturates
b. Propoxyphene
c. Benzodiazepines
d. Tricyclic Antidepressants
e. Antihistamines - Correct Answer d. Tricyclic Antidepressants
In scenes illuminated by bright sunlight, there will usually be dark shadow areas. Detail
in the deep shadow areas will be lost when the exposure is based on the overall
brightness of the scene. The brightness level in the shadow areas can be raised to the
overall brightness of the scene by using:
a. An alternate light source
b. Ultraviolet fluorescence
c. Flash-fill photography
d. An increased F-stop
e. A restricted aperture - Correct Answer c. Flash-fill photography
Using an alternate light source, you can identify stains that may contain samples of:
a. Serum
b. Semen
c. Saliva
d. Urine
e. All of the above - Correct Answer e. All of the above
When submitting tool mark evidence for examination, you should always:
a. Place the tool against the tool marked evidence
b. Make test cuts or impressions rather than submit the tool
c. Submit a cast of the tool mark
d. Refrain from collecting samples of any material deposited on the tools
e. All of the above - Correct Answer c. Submit a cast of the tool mark
With regards to investigating a scene where firearms were used, which ONE of the
following statements is FALSE?:
a. Bullet holes through doors can produce atypical entrance wounds
b. The presence of spent cartridges at the scene suggests a semi-automatic assault rifle
c. Fragments from intermediate targets can cause pseudo-stippling
d. A spent cartridge at the scene is most suggestive of a revolver-type handgun
