Medico-legal Death Investigator Sample
Certification Questions
Official pronouncement of death can... - correct answer-Be determined by state statute and
local customs
Authorization to conduct a medico-legal autopsy must be provided by... - correct answer-The
coroner or medical examiner when jurisdiction is established
A previosuly healthy four-month-old infant is found unresponsive in his crib at home. He is
rushed to the hospital, where he is maintained on a repirator for 26 hours before being
declared dead. No external trauma or disease is noted by the treating physician. - correct
answer-The coroner had jurisdiction becasue of the unexplained death of an infant
Your office is investigating a suspected SIDS death. You should notify your statewide SIDS
program... - correct answer-As soon as possible following the autopsy
In general, which of the following are NOT normally considered for organ/tissue procurement
purposes? - correct answer-Reproductive organs
Authorization for organ/tissue procurement is considered valid if... - correct answer-The
decedent's legal next-of-kin or representative has given consent
The death investigator and a police officer arrive at the scene within minutes of each other. -
correct answer-The best approach is a "team" approach to performing the work
In constructing a narrative report, the main idea is to relate... - correct answer-An overall and
concise view of what happened
Choose one of the most important communication skills for gathering information at the
scene: - correct answer-Listen and actively study witnesses
The pathologist must be alerted to religious requests from the family... - correct
answer-Before the autopsy is performed
When communicating with the pathologist,a good investigator distinguishes between a
request for information and a request for an opinion. Which type is the following question:
"What time was the death pronounced?" - correct answer-Request for information
When obtaining information about a decedent from family members, the first priority should
ALWAYS be to obtain information from... - correct answer-The family member who last saw
and/or talked with the decedent, or has firsthand knowledge regarding the circumstances
surrounding the death and/or medical history
, Family members often ask why the medical examiner/coroner is involved. When discussing
the case with the family, what is the best prescribed answer to give them? - correct
answer-Explain what is believed to have occurred (eg: homicide, suicide, unexpected death)
and why the medical examiner/coroner is investigating the death
When investigating a "homicide" death case, you discover that the victim and surviving
family are orthodox Jews. The family voice their objection (based on religious belief) to an
autopsy being performed. Which of the following would be the best recommended procedure
to follow? - correct answer-Counsel the family. Explain the circumstances surrounding the
investigation and why (criminal prosecution, etc.) the autopsy needs to be performed
If the deceased is decomposed, mutilated, or burned beyond recognition and the family still
insists, for religious or cultural reasons, on viewing the body, the investigator should... -
correct answer-Prepare the family before viewing with a verbal explanation and possibly
photographs of the remains
A clandestine methamphetamine laboratory has exploded, and the "chemist's" body is on the
scene. You may undertake your scene investigation when... - correct answer-The fire
department and hazardous materials team think the scene is safe
You arrive to an outdoor homicide scene and find that the crime scene tape binds too small a
perimeter. Onlookers and media are beginning to gather. You should... - correct
answer-Keep the tape in place and advise the investigating police agency of the need to
enlarge the perimeter
You are investigating the death of an unidentified person. A search of the subject's pocket
turns up an ID card without a facial photograph on it. You should... - correct answer-Be
aware that an ID card that does not contain a facial picture should never be used to make a
positive identification
The basic purpose of crime scene photography is... - correct answer-To document the crime
scene
Homicide detectives at the scene of a sex-related death ask that the deceased be
fingerprinted immediately to expedite identification. Which statement describes the proper
action to take? - correct answer-Place paper bags on the hands to protect any trace
evidence and assure the police that the body will be fingerprinted in a timely manner after
evidence collection
Why is it necessary, when in a residence or apartment, or when going through personal
belongings of the deceased, to do this in the presence of an independent witness? - correct
answer-*open ended*
You are at the scene of a sudden and unexpected death of a 16 month old child. The family
members want to hold the child. What should the investigator do? - correct answer-Consider
the evidence you have discovered to this point and make a professional decision based on
those facts, always taking the family into consideration
Certification Questions
Official pronouncement of death can... - correct answer-Be determined by state statute and
local customs
Authorization to conduct a medico-legal autopsy must be provided by... - correct answer-The
coroner or medical examiner when jurisdiction is established
A previosuly healthy four-month-old infant is found unresponsive in his crib at home. He is
rushed to the hospital, where he is maintained on a repirator for 26 hours before being
declared dead. No external trauma or disease is noted by the treating physician. - correct
answer-The coroner had jurisdiction becasue of the unexplained death of an infant
Your office is investigating a suspected SIDS death. You should notify your statewide SIDS
program... - correct answer-As soon as possible following the autopsy
In general, which of the following are NOT normally considered for organ/tissue procurement
purposes? - correct answer-Reproductive organs
Authorization for organ/tissue procurement is considered valid if... - correct answer-The
decedent's legal next-of-kin or representative has given consent
The death investigator and a police officer arrive at the scene within minutes of each other. -
correct answer-The best approach is a "team" approach to performing the work
In constructing a narrative report, the main idea is to relate... - correct answer-An overall and
concise view of what happened
Choose one of the most important communication skills for gathering information at the
scene: - correct answer-Listen and actively study witnesses
The pathologist must be alerted to religious requests from the family... - correct
answer-Before the autopsy is performed
When communicating with the pathologist,a good investigator distinguishes between a
request for information and a request for an opinion. Which type is the following question:
"What time was the death pronounced?" - correct answer-Request for information
When obtaining information about a decedent from family members, the first priority should
ALWAYS be to obtain information from... - correct answer-The family member who last saw
and/or talked with the decedent, or has firsthand knowledge regarding the circumstances
surrounding the death and/or medical history
, Family members often ask why the medical examiner/coroner is involved. When discussing
the case with the family, what is the best prescribed answer to give them? - correct
answer-Explain what is believed to have occurred (eg: homicide, suicide, unexpected death)
and why the medical examiner/coroner is investigating the death
When investigating a "homicide" death case, you discover that the victim and surviving
family are orthodox Jews. The family voice their objection (based on religious belief) to an
autopsy being performed. Which of the following would be the best recommended procedure
to follow? - correct answer-Counsel the family. Explain the circumstances surrounding the
investigation and why (criminal prosecution, etc.) the autopsy needs to be performed
If the deceased is decomposed, mutilated, or burned beyond recognition and the family still
insists, for religious or cultural reasons, on viewing the body, the investigator should... -
correct answer-Prepare the family before viewing with a verbal explanation and possibly
photographs of the remains
A clandestine methamphetamine laboratory has exploded, and the "chemist's" body is on the
scene. You may undertake your scene investigation when... - correct answer-The fire
department and hazardous materials team think the scene is safe
You arrive to an outdoor homicide scene and find that the crime scene tape binds too small a
perimeter. Onlookers and media are beginning to gather. You should... - correct
answer-Keep the tape in place and advise the investigating police agency of the need to
enlarge the perimeter
You are investigating the death of an unidentified person. A search of the subject's pocket
turns up an ID card without a facial photograph on it. You should... - correct answer-Be
aware that an ID card that does not contain a facial picture should never be used to make a
positive identification
The basic purpose of crime scene photography is... - correct answer-To document the crime
scene
Homicide detectives at the scene of a sex-related death ask that the deceased be
fingerprinted immediately to expedite identification. Which statement describes the proper
action to take? - correct answer-Place paper bags on the hands to protect any trace
evidence and assure the police that the body will be fingerprinted in a timely manner after
evidence collection
Why is it necessary, when in a residence or apartment, or when going through personal
belongings of the deceased, to do this in the presence of an independent witness? - correct
answer-*open ended*
You are at the scene of a sudden and unexpected death of a 16 month old child. The family
members want to hold the child. What should the investigator do? - correct answer-Consider
the evidence you have discovered to this point and make a professional decision based on
those facts, always taking the family into consideration
