ABMDI BOARD CERTIFICATION QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026

ABMDI BOARD CERTIFICATION QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026 Barbituates - Answers 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 - Answers Barbituate. Used in treatment of migraines. Phenobarbital - Answers Barbituate. Used as anticonvulsant. Pentobarbital - Answers Barbituate. Used to relieve intracranial pressure following trauma. Atropine - Answers Belladonna Alkaloid. Derived from certain plants including jimson weed 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 - Answers Belladonna Alkaloid. Derived from jimson weed 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 - Answers 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 - Answers 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 post-mortem 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 deaths. - Answers detect volatile hydrocarbons in fire deaths. 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 - Answers 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 - Answers 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. - Answers 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 - Answers 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 - Answers 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. E. Spent cartridges recovered at the scene can be analyzed by firearm experts. - Answers A spent cartridge at the scene is most suggestive of a revolver-type handgun. Which of the following is NOT a bullet fired by a handgun? A. Semi-jacketed hollow point B. Wad cutter C. Buckshot D. Full metal jacket E. Lead round nose - Answers Buckshot High-velocity blood spatter is most frequently associated with injuries due to A. a gunshot wound, fall, or power tool. B. a motor vehicle accident, gunshot wound, or fall. C. a fall, blunt trauma, or motor vehicle accident. D. a gunshot wound, power tool, or machinery. E. blunt trauma, sharp force trauma, or fall. - Answers a gunshot wound, power tool, or machinery. The "post-mortem examination" phase of a thorough death investigation should include all of the following EXCEPT which ONE? A. Consultation with a forensic odontologist upon finding a suspected bite mark. B. Full-body X-rays on an infant death. C. Toxicology requested for alcohol and drugs of abuse. D. Retaining a DNA blood sample. E. Submitting a normal kidney to a research laboratory upon lab request. - Answers Submitting a normal kidney to a research laboratory upon lab request. Your case file is subpoenaed by a local defense attorney. You have placed your investigative field notes in the subpoenaed file. You must A. turn over a complete copy of the case file as is. B. purge the case file of all extraneous data (including notes) before you release it. C. make a copy of and retain your notes before you release the original file. D. make a second case file and retain it in your office. E. start a second file. - Answers turn over a complete copy of the case file as is. Documenting items collected during an investigation helps in A. protecting the chain of custody. B. training new investigators with hands-on experience. C. allowing a walk-through of the scene to go more smoothly. D. keeping the investigator busy with the scene, not allowing distraction. E. making collection of evidence easier during Miranda. - Answers protecting the chain of custody. You arrive at the scene and discover a body in advanced decomposition. Circumstantial evidence obtained from the apartment manager suggests that the victim is middle-aged, has no criminal record, is edentulous, and had a history of debilitating headaches. The body is severely decomposed, with desiccated fingers, and cannot be visibly identified with a driver's license recovered at the scene. What next step should you take to confirm the identification before releasing the body? A. Contact the odontology consultant. B. Attempt to obtain a facial reconstruction. C. Examine clothing for name markings. D. Contact local hospitals for radiographs for comparison. E. Send a sample of DNA to the blood bank. - Answers Contact local hospitals for radiographs for comparison. Death investigators sometimes are asked to participate in a media-initiated interview, especially during a sensitive on-going investigation. Investigators should always remember A. to make sure the interview is "off the record" before the first question is asked. B. to sign a release form before the interview starts. C. that participating in this type of interview rarely serves to accomplish any investigative objectives, and should be declined. D. to politely decline to participate in any interviews until their investigative report has been reviewed by law enforcement. E. to get clearance from law enforcement before participating in the interview. - Answers that participating in this type of interview rarely serves to accomplish any investigative objectives, and should be declined. When closing an interview with a family member, how can you offer to be more helpful to the individual? A. Advise the individual that he/she can get further information about the procedures in the case from the funeral home. B. Refer the family member to the police department for all further follow-ups. C. Advise the family member to send any requests for information in writing and send a check for the customary fee for written documentation. D. Tell the individual how much you appreciated their help and advise them to telephone your office if they need more assistance. E. None of the above - Answers Tell the individual how much you appreciated their help and advise them to telephone your office if they need more assistance. In the event of a homicide on Native American or federal (nonmilitary) lands, which agency has law enforcement jurisdiction? A. The nearest city police department B. The county sheriff C. The state police/troopers on military bases D. The tribal police on Native American lands E. The FBI - Answers The FBI Many times, family members will not accept a ruling of suicide as a manner of death for reasons of A. embarrassment. B. insurance issues. C. their unwillingness to believe the decedent would commit suicide. D. having a separate agenda that is not met by the medical examiner/coroner's finding. E. All of the above - Answers All of the above The accepted "standard of proof" the forensic pathologist reaches when testifying in criminal court is which ONE of the following? A. More likely than not B. Preponderance of the evidence C. Clear and convincing D. Reasonable medical certainty E. Beyond a reasonable doubt - Answers Reasonable medical certainty Which is a TRUE statement about the investigation of deaths in the workplace? A. Cause-and-effect analysis of injuries and possible workplace safety issues are a primary concern. B. If a person has a witnessed collapse at his office desk after complaining of chest pains, the investigator must immediately call OSHA. C. Most workplace deaths are accidents directly relating to work-related injuries. D. Potential for criminal charges is not a consideration. E. Federal regulations define the responsibility of the coroner/medical examiner in investigating any death occurring while the person is at work. - Answers Cause-and-effect analysis of injuries and possible workplace safety issues are a primary concern. One of three roommates reports discovering the body of the second roommate in the apartment the three shares. The third roommate is absent. The decedent is observed on the floor with a pool of blood surrounding his head and a bloody baseball bat beside his body. The law enforcement agency's investigation would be best served if they A. obtain permission to search the apartment from the roommate who discovered the body. B. obtain permission to search the apartment from both living roommates. C. obtain a search warrant before entering the apartment. D. enter the apartment and conduct a thorough crime scene search. E. enter the apartment in search of weapons that may be a threat to responding officers. - Answers obtain a search warrant before entering the apartment. Courtroom etiquette requires ALL of the following EXCEPT which ONE? A. Wear conservative attire. B. Do not volunteer information. C. Answer questions clearly and firmly. D. Answer all questions honestly. E. Decline to respond to the defense attorney. - Answers Decline to respond to the defense attorney. You arrive for your scheduled work shift and find that your co-worker from the previous shift has cases pending and no investigative action has been taken on them. You A. begin investigations on those cases that have been reported from the start of your shift, leaving the previous ones to your co-worker. B. see which cases need investigative work and immediately begin to help by picking up the previously reported cases and starting the investigative process. C. assist by answering the phones and reporting any findings to the investigator previously on duty because he was responsible for the cases on his shift. D. empathize with your co-worker's heavy unfinished case load, but realize that your cases are your primary responsibility. E. see which cases need investigative work or follow-up and report your co-worker's inadequacies to the supervisor. - Answers see which cases need investigative work and immediately begin to help by picking up the previously reported cases and starting the investigative process. Death investigators have a responsibility to the public and their co-workers. This impact can be positive if the death investigator A. behaves in a manner appropriate to the situation. B. assists junior members with learning skills. C. dresses in a professional manner. D. follows the policies and procedures of the agency. E. All of the above - Answers All of the above Professionalism in death investigation includes ALL of the following EXCEPT which ONE? A. Wearing clean and neat clothing B. Returning the decedent's valuables to the family C. Getting a conviction in the courtroom D. Using appropriate language