❖ABMDI Medical Death Investigator Certification Examination
Preparation (2026 Edition) — Forensic Death Investigation
Standards, Scene Documentation, Medicolegal Jurisdiction,
Cause & Manner of Death Determination, Evidence Handling &
Case Review with Verified Practice Questions
Question 1
What is the primary role of a Medical Death Investigator?
• A) To provide medical treatment to living patients
• B) To assist in criminal investigations
• C) To determine the cause and manner of death
• D) To conduct autopsies
CORRECT OPTION: C
Rationale:
The primary role of a Medical Death Investigator is to investigate deaths to determine
their cause and manner. This includes collecting evidence at death scenes, interviewing
witnesses, and reviewing medical records. Options A and D are incorrect as they involve
clinical care and autopsy procedures, which fall under the jurisdiction of medical
examiners or forensic pathologists. Option B is too narrow, as the role is broader than
just assisting with criminal investigations.
Question 2
Which of the following is a common task performed by a Medical Death
Investigator?
• A) Prescribing medication
• B) Documenting the scene of death
• C) Performing surgical procedures
• D) Diagnosing infectious diseases
CORRECT OPTION: B
Rationale:
Documenting the scene of death is a critical task for Medical Death Investigators. This
includes taking photographs, collecting physical evidence, and noting environmental
conditions. The other options relate to healthcare services (prescribing medication,
performing surgery, diagnosing diseases) that are not within the scope of a Medical
Death Investigator’s responsibilities.
,Question 3
What is the difference between 'cause of death' and 'manner of death'?
• A) There is no difference; they are interchangeable terms
• B) Cause of death refers to the underlying issue, while manner of death refers to
the circumstances
• C) Cause of death is a specific medical condition, while manner of death
categorizes the death (e.g., natural, accidental)
• D) Manner of death is always due to homicide
CORRECT OPTION: C
Rationale:
The 'cause of death' refers to a specific medical condition or injury that directly results
in death, such as a heart attack or a gunshot wound. The 'manner of death' categorizes
how the death occurred, such as natural, accidental, suicide, or homicide. Option A is
incorrect because the terms are not interchangeable. Option B is partially correct but
does not fully capture the definitions. Option D incorrectly states that manner of death
is always homicide, which is not true.
Question 4
Which legal document allows a Medical Death Investigator to perform
investigations?
• A) Medical license
• B) Death investigation statute
• C) Autopsy consent form
• D) Coroner's report
CORRECT OPTION: B
Rationale:
The death investigation statute grants Medical Death Investigators the legal authority to
conduct investigations into unexpected or unattended deaths. It defines the scope of
their work, allowing them to access necessary information. A medical license pertains
to healthcare practitioners, while an autopsy consent form is related to permissions for
autopsies, not investigations. A coroner's report is a product of the investigation, not the
document that empowers the investigator.
Question 5
,What type of death would typically require a Medical Death Investigator’s
involvement?
• A) Death due to a chronic illness under medical care
• B) Unexpected or suspicious deaths
• C) Death in hospice care
• D) Death from old age
CORRECT OPTION: B
Rationale:
Medical Death Investigators are primarily involved in unexpected or suspicious deaths,
which may require further investigation to determine the cause and manner. Deaths
that occur in the presence of medical care, such as from chronic illness or in hospice,
are generally not investigated unless there are unusual circumstances. These deaths
are typically considered to be due to natural causes.
Question 6
Which of the following can be a sign of foul play in a death investigation?
• A) Death occurs in a hospital
• B) Presence of defensive wounds
• C) Natural causes recorded in history
• D) Death in hospice care
CORRECT OPTION: B
Rationale:
The presence of defensive wounds can indicate that the deceased may have fought off
an attacker, suggesting foul play. Deaths occurring in hospitals, natural cause histories,
and deaths in hospice care typically do not exhibit signs of foul play unless other
suspicious circumstances arise.
Question 7
In cases of sudden unexplained death, which procedure is usually conducted?
• A) Immediate burial
• B) Autopsy
• C) Waiting for family approval
• D) Notification to the local police only
CORRECT OPTION: B
, Rationale:
An autopsy is often conducted to clarify the cause of death in cases of sudden and
unexplained death. This medical procedure helps to uncover any underlying medical
conditions or circumstances that may not be immediately evident. Immediate burial,
family approval, and notifying local police alone do not address the need for
understanding the cause of a sudden death.
Question 8
What role does toxicology play in death investigations?
• A) Identifying substances that may have contributed to death
• B) Certifying the time of death
• C) Conducting physical examinations
• D) Providing emotional support to families
CORRECT OPTION: A
Rationale:
Toxicology tests are critical in identifying substances, including drugs or poisons, that
may have contributed to a death. These tests can provide crucial evidence in suspicious
or unexplained deaths. Options B, C, and D do not pertain to the primary objective of
toxicology in death investigations.
Question 9
Which of the following is considered a manner of death?
• A) Myocardial infarction
• B) Homicide
• C) Stroke
• D) Sepsis
CORRECT OPTION: B
Rationale:
Homicide is one of the classifications used to determine the manner of death, which
categorizes how the death occurred. Myocardial infarction, stroke, and sepsis are
causes of death but do not indicate the manner by which the death took place.
Question 10
Preparation (2026 Edition) — Forensic Death Investigation
Standards, Scene Documentation, Medicolegal Jurisdiction,
Cause & Manner of Death Determination, Evidence Handling &
Case Review with Verified Practice Questions
Question 1
What is the primary role of a Medical Death Investigator?
• A) To provide medical treatment to living patients
• B) To assist in criminal investigations
• C) To determine the cause and manner of death
• D) To conduct autopsies
CORRECT OPTION: C
Rationale:
The primary role of a Medical Death Investigator is to investigate deaths to determine
their cause and manner. This includes collecting evidence at death scenes, interviewing
witnesses, and reviewing medical records. Options A and D are incorrect as they involve
clinical care and autopsy procedures, which fall under the jurisdiction of medical
examiners or forensic pathologists. Option B is too narrow, as the role is broader than
just assisting with criminal investigations.
Question 2
Which of the following is a common task performed by a Medical Death
Investigator?
• A) Prescribing medication
• B) Documenting the scene of death
• C) Performing surgical procedures
• D) Diagnosing infectious diseases
CORRECT OPTION: B
Rationale:
Documenting the scene of death is a critical task for Medical Death Investigators. This
includes taking photographs, collecting physical evidence, and noting environmental
conditions. The other options relate to healthcare services (prescribing medication,
performing surgery, diagnosing diseases) that are not within the scope of a Medical
Death Investigator’s responsibilities.
,Question 3
What is the difference between 'cause of death' and 'manner of death'?
• A) There is no difference; they are interchangeable terms
• B) Cause of death refers to the underlying issue, while manner of death refers to
the circumstances
• C) Cause of death is a specific medical condition, while manner of death
categorizes the death (e.g., natural, accidental)
• D) Manner of death is always due to homicide
CORRECT OPTION: C
Rationale:
The 'cause of death' refers to a specific medical condition or injury that directly results
in death, such as a heart attack or a gunshot wound. The 'manner of death' categorizes
how the death occurred, such as natural, accidental, suicide, or homicide. Option A is
incorrect because the terms are not interchangeable. Option B is partially correct but
does not fully capture the definitions. Option D incorrectly states that manner of death
is always homicide, which is not true.
Question 4
Which legal document allows a Medical Death Investigator to perform
investigations?
• A) Medical license
• B) Death investigation statute
• C) Autopsy consent form
• D) Coroner's report
CORRECT OPTION: B
Rationale:
The death investigation statute grants Medical Death Investigators the legal authority to
conduct investigations into unexpected or unattended deaths. It defines the scope of
their work, allowing them to access necessary information. A medical license pertains
to healthcare practitioners, while an autopsy consent form is related to permissions for
autopsies, not investigations. A coroner's report is a product of the investigation, not the
document that empowers the investigator.
Question 5
,What type of death would typically require a Medical Death Investigator’s
involvement?
• A) Death due to a chronic illness under medical care
• B) Unexpected or suspicious deaths
• C) Death in hospice care
• D) Death from old age
CORRECT OPTION: B
Rationale:
Medical Death Investigators are primarily involved in unexpected or suspicious deaths,
which may require further investigation to determine the cause and manner. Deaths
that occur in the presence of medical care, such as from chronic illness or in hospice,
are generally not investigated unless there are unusual circumstances. These deaths
are typically considered to be due to natural causes.
Question 6
Which of the following can be a sign of foul play in a death investigation?
• A) Death occurs in a hospital
• B) Presence of defensive wounds
• C) Natural causes recorded in history
• D) Death in hospice care
CORRECT OPTION: B
Rationale:
The presence of defensive wounds can indicate that the deceased may have fought off
an attacker, suggesting foul play. Deaths occurring in hospitals, natural cause histories,
and deaths in hospice care typically do not exhibit signs of foul play unless other
suspicious circumstances arise.
Question 7
In cases of sudden unexplained death, which procedure is usually conducted?
• A) Immediate burial
• B) Autopsy
• C) Waiting for family approval
• D) Notification to the local police only
CORRECT OPTION: B
, Rationale:
An autopsy is often conducted to clarify the cause of death in cases of sudden and
unexplained death. This medical procedure helps to uncover any underlying medical
conditions or circumstances that may not be immediately evident. Immediate burial,
family approval, and notifying local police alone do not address the need for
understanding the cause of a sudden death.
Question 8
What role does toxicology play in death investigations?
• A) Identifying substances that may have contributed to death
• B) Certifying the time of death
• C) Conducting physical examinations
• D) Providing emotional support to families
CORRECT OPTION: A
Rationale:
Toxicology tests are critical in identifying substances, including drugs or poisons, that
may have contributed to a death. These tests can provide crucial evidence in suspicious
or unexplained deaths. Options B, C, and D do not pertain to the primary objective of
toxicology in death investigations.
Question 9
Which of the following is considered a manner of death?
• A) Myocardial infarction
• B) Homicide
• C) Stroke
• D) Sepsis
CORRECT OPTION: B
Rationale:
Homicide is one of the classifications used to determine the manner of death, which
categorizes how the death occurred. Myocardial infarction, stroke, and sepsis are
causes of death but do not indicate the manner by which the death took place.
Question 10
