ABMDI Questions (From Book)
Official pronouncement of death can:
a. Be accomplished only by a physician
b. Be accomplished by any medical professional
c. Be accomplished by any responsible party
d. Be accomplished by on-duty police officers
e. Be determined by state statute and local customs - correct answer-E
Authorization to conduct a medicolegal autopsy must be provided by:
a. The decedent's next-of-kin
b. The coroner or medical examiner when jurisdiction is established
c. A will or other document signed before death
d. The treating physician
e. All of the above - correct answer-B
A previously healthy four-month-old infant is found unresponsive in his crib at home. He is
rushed to a hospital, where he is maintained on a respirator for 26 hours before being
declared dead. No external trauma or disease is noted by the treating physician:
a. The coroner is without jurisdiction because of hospitalization
b. The coroner has jurisdiction because of the unexplained death of an infant
c. The coroner has jurisdiction because of length of hospitalization
d. The absence of trauma precludes the coroner's having jurisdiction
e. Significant trauma will always be apparent on the surface of the body - correct answer-B
Your office is investigating a suspected SIDS death. You should notify your statewide SIDS
program within:
a. As soon as possible following the autopsy
b. Within 24 hours of the death
c. Within 48 hours of the death
d. Within 72 hours of the death
e. Within one week of the death - correct answer-A
In general, which of the following are NOT normally considered for organ/tissue procurement
purposes?:
a. Liver and kidneys
b. Long bones and pelvis
c. Reproductive organs
d. Heart valves
e. Pancreas and skin - correct answer-C
Authorization for organ/tissue procurement is considered valid if:
a. A donor designation appears on the decedent's drivers license
b. A donor card with the decedent's name is found in his/her wallet or purse
c. An emergency room physician gives permission
d. The decedent's legal next-of-kin or representative has given consent
, e. No legal next-of-kin can be located - correct answer-D
The death investigator and a police officer arrive at the scene within minutes of each other:
a. The police officer is in charge and directs the work
b. The death investigator is in charge and directs the work
c. The best approach is a "team" approach to performing the work
d. Each has specific responsibilities to perform, and they should not interact
e. Work together only if necessary; you represent different agencies - correct answer-C
In constructing a narrative report, the main idea is to relate:
a. Your involvement in the case
b. The main reason for the death
c. An overall and concise view of what happened
d. How the deceased was identified
e. Background information regarding the condition of the body - correct answer-C
Choose one of the most important communication skills for gathering information at the
scene:
a. Talk to all neighbors
b. Listen and actively study witnesses
c. Write down your thoughts
d. Avoid eye contact with suspects
e. None of the above - correct answer-B
The pathologist must be alerted to religious requests from the family:
a. Before the victim's body is taken from the hospital
b. After the autopsy, before the body is taken to the funeral home
c. Only if the religion requires it
d. Before the autopsy is performed
e. Before the victim's body is taken from the scene - correct answer-D
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?":
a. Request for an opinion
b. Request for information
c. Request for information and opinion
d. Request for assistance
e. None of the above - correct answer-B
When obtaining information about a decedent from family members, the first priority should
always be to obtain information from:
a. The family member who seems the most stable
b. 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
c. The decedent's primary care giver or personal physician
d. The family member who is in control of the family unit
e. The police officer who found the body - correct answer-B
Official pronouncement of death can:
a. Be accomplished only by a physician
b. Be accomplished by any medical professional
c. Be accomplished by any responsible party
d. Be accomplished by on-duty police officers
e. Be determined by state statute and local customs - correct answer-E
Authorization to conduct a medicolegal autopsy must be provided by:
a. The decedent's next-of-kin
b. The coroner or medical examiner when jurisdiction is established
c. A will or other document signed before death
d. The treating physician
e. All of the above - correct answer-B
A previously healthy four-month-old infant is found unresponsive in his crib at home. He is
rushed to a hospital, where he is maintained on a respirator for 26 hours before being
declared dead. No external trauma or disease is noted by the treating physician:
a. The coroner is without jurisdiction because of hospitalization
b. The coroner has jurisdiction because of the unexplained death of an infant
c. The coroner has jurisdiction because of length of hospitalization
d. The absence of trauma precludes the coroner's having jurisdiction
e. Significant trauma will always be apparent on the surface of the body - correct answer-B
Your office is investigating a suspected SIDS death. You should notify your statewide SIDS
program within:
a. As soon as possible following the autopsy
b. Within 24 hours of the death
c. Within 48 hours of the death
d. Within 72 hours of the death
e. Within one week of the death - correct answer-A
In general, which of the following are NOT normally considered for organ/tissue procurement
purposes?:
a. Liver and kidneys
b. Long bones and pelvis
c. Reproductive organs
d. Heart valves
e. Pancreas and skin - correct answer-C
Authorization for organ/tissue procurement is considered valid if:
a. A donor designation appears on the decedent's drivers license
b. A donor card with the decedent's name is found in his/her wallet or purse
c. An emergency room physician gives permission
d. The decedent's legal next-of-kin or representative has given consent
, e. No legal next-of-kin can be located - correct answer-D
The death investigator and a police officer arrive at the scene within minutes of each other:
a. The police officer is in charge and directs the work
b. The death investigator is in charge and directs the work
c. The best approach is a "team" approach to performing the work
d. Each has specific responsibilities to perform, and they should not interact
e. Work together only if necessary; you represent different agencies - correct answer-C
In constructing a narrative report, the main idea is to relate:
a. Your involvement in the case
b. The main reason for the death
c. An overall and concise view of what happened
d. How the deceased was identified
e. Background information regarding the condition of the body - correct answer-C
Choose one of the most important communication skills for gathering information at the
scene:
a. Talk to all neighbors
b. Listen and actively study witnesses
c. Write down your thoughts
d. Avoid eye contact with suspects
e. None of the above - correct answer-B
The pathologist must be alerted to religious requests from the family:
a. Before the victim's body is taken from the hospital
b. After the autopsy, before the body is taken to the funeral home
c. Only if the religion requires it
d. Before the autopsy is performed
e. Before the victim's body is taken from the scene - correct answer-D
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?":
a. Request for an opinion
b. Request for information
c. Request for information and opinion
d. Request for assistance
e. None of the above - correct answer-B
When obtaining information about a decedent from family members, the first priority should
always be to obtain information from:
a. The family member who seems the most stable
b. 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
c. The decedent's primary care giver or personal physician
d. The family member who is in control of the family unit
e. The police officer who found the body - correct answer-B
