ABMDI - Textbook Chapters 7 & 8
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
Cardinal signs of death -
correct answer ✅-Lack of pulse and respiration
-Absence of a heartbeat
-Lack of corneal reflexes and pupillary constriction
-Coolness of the body
-Rigor mortis
-Livor mortis
Rigor mortis -
correct answer ✅-The stiffening of the body in response to
elevation of lactic acid in the muscles of a dead person
-Starts in the smaller muscles of the jaw and later extends to the
arms and finally the legs
-The speed at which rigor leaves the body follows the same pattern
as above
-Onset and duration depends on environmental factors, muscle
size, and muscle activity (seizures)
-Onset and dissipation is more rapid in children
-Appears 2 to 4 hours after death, maxes between 8 to 12 hours
,ABMDI - Textbook Chapters 7 & 8
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
Livor mortis -
correct answer ✅-The gravitational pooling of blood after death
-Plum colored blushing that usually blanches when gentle pressure i
applied
-As the interval of death extends, the livor becomes fixes and the
skin capillaries often rupture and cause pinpoint hemorrhages
known as tardieu spots; commonly seen in lower extremities of
hanging victims
-Appears between 2 to 4 hours after death, becomes fixed between
8 to 12 hours
Eye changes -
correct answer ✅-Corneal clouding (1-2 hours after death)
-Sclera dryness (tache noire)
Algor mortis -
correct answer ✅-Cooling of body after death
-Affected by body dimensions, posture, clothing, ambient
temperature, air movement, and surroundings
-Rectal temperature may be needed; leave in for 3-5 minutes
,ABMDI - Textbook Chapters 7 & 8
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
What happens 24 hours after death? -
correct answer ✅Greenish discoloration of the right lower
abdomen
What happens 24-36 hours after death? -
correct answer ✅Greenish discoloration of the abdomen
What happens 36-48 hours after death? -
correct answer ✅Marbling, bloating of face
What happens 48-60 hours after death? -
correct answer ✅Desiccation (drying) of fingertips
What happens 6-72 hours after death? -
correct answer ✅Bloating of the body, purging
What happens 4-7 days after death? -
correct answer ✅Skin blebs, hair sloughing, skin slippage
, ABMDI - Textbook Chapters 7 & 8
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
What happens days-weeks after death? -
correct answer ✅Dehydration of body tissues
What happens weeks-months after death? -
correct answer ✅Adipocere, mummification, skeletonization
External examination -
correct answer ✅The investigator must carefully examine the body
for potential evidence, injuries, and disease in order to preserve
evidence and alert the pathologist to the need for autopsy; most
important function of the MDI; head to toe examination is most
common
Head examination -
correct answer ✅-SCALP: examine the scalp for hidden trauma,
account for any blood that's been identified
-EARS: inspect the ears for hemorrhage or foreign bodies
-EYES: evaluate the eyes for petechial hemorrhage, icterus
(jaundice), or hemorrhage
-MOUTH: inspect the oral cavity for trauma, foreign bodies, or poor
hygiene
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
Cardinal signs of death -
correct answer ✅-Lack of pulse and respiration
-Absence of a heartbeat
-Lack of corneal reflexes and pupillary constriction
-Coolness of the body
-Rigor mortis
-Livor mortis
Rigor mortis -
correct answer ✅-The stiffening of the body in response to
elevation of lactic acid in the muscles of a dead person
-Starts in the smaller muscles of the jaw and later extends to the
arms and finally the legs
-The speed at which rigor leaves the body follows the same pattern
as above
-Onset and duration depends on environmental factors, muscle
size, and muscle activity (seizures)
-Onset and dissipation is more rapid in children
-Appears 2 to 4 hours after death, maxes between 8 to 12 hours
,ABMDI - Textbook Chapters 7 & 8
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
Livor mortis -
correct answer ✅-The gravitational pooling of blood after death
-Plum colored blushing that usually blanches when gentle pressure i
applied
-As the interval of death extends, the livor becomes fixes and the
skin capillaries often rupture and cause pinpoint hemorrhages
known as tardieu spots; commonly seen in lower extremities of
hanging victims
-Appears between 2 to 4 hours after death, becomes fixed between
8 to 12 hours
Eye changes -
correct answer ✅-Corneal clouding (1-2 hours after death)
-Sclera dryness (tache noire)
Algor mortis -
correct answer ✅-Cooling of body after death
-Affected by body dimensions, posture, clothing, ambient
temperature, air movement, and surroundings
-Rectal temperature may be needed; leave in for 3-5 minutes
,ABMDI - Textbook Chapters 7 & 8
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
What happens 24 hours after death? -
correct answer ✅Greenish discoloration of the right lower
abdomen
What happens 24-36 hours after death? -
correct answer ✅Greenish discoloration of the abdomen
What happens 36-48 hours after death? -
correct answer ✅Marbling, bloating of face
What happens 48-60 hours after death? -
correct answer ✅Desiccation (drying) of fingertips
What happens 6-72 hours after death? -
correct answer ✅Bloating of the body, purging
What happens 4-7 days after death? -
correct answer ✅Skin blebs, hair sloughing, skin slippage
, ABMDI - Textbook Chapters 7 & 8
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
What happens days-weeks after death? -
correct answer ✅Dehydration of body tissues
What happens weeks-months after death? -
correct answer ✅Adipocere, mummification, skeletonization
External examination -
correct answer ✅The investigator must carefully examine the body
for potential evidence, injuries, and disease in order to preserve
evidence and alert the pathologist to the need for autopsy; most
important function of the MDI; head to toe examination is most
common
Head examination -
correct answer ✅-SCALP: examine the scalp for hidden trauma,
account for any blood that's been identified
-EARS: inspect the ears for hemorrhage or foreign bodies
-EYES: evaluate the eyes for petechial hemorrhage, icterus
(jaundice), or hemorrhage
-MOUTH: inspect the oral cavity for trauma, foreign bodies, or poor
hygiene
