ABMDI DEMONSTRATING SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE
CERTIFICATION EVALUATION TEST Questions with Correct
Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: When investigating a death, it is best to
A. work alone on the investigation.
B. not listen to others or ask questions.
C. use all available resources.
D. disregard how problems affect personnel.
E. assume control of the scene immediately upon arrival.
Answer: C
Question 2: A good point to remember regarding report writing is that
A. good report writing is a skill that comes naturally; some have it, whereas others will never have it.
B. information is of little use unless it is properly documented and communicated to others.
C. organization of the report is more important than the information contained in the report.
D. abbreviations and acronyms are important "shortcuts" to good, efficient report writing.
E. the more medical terminology the better.
Answer: B
Question 3: If you are called to a hospital's emergency department to begin the medicolegal death
investigation of a death caused by a firearm, the medicolegal "scene" is
A. the emergency department.
B. the emergency department and any part of the hospital leading from the street to the room.
C. the whole hospital.
D. any location the decedent may have been prior to death.
E. any location the decedent may have been within the past 24 hours.
Answer: A
Question 4: State systems, or states with a "State Medical Examiner" typically investigate
A. all deaths that occur within their national "region" (i.e., southwestern, northeastern, etc.)
B. all deaths that occur within their state.
C. all deaths within their state that fall under statute.
D. all deaths within their county.
E. all deaths that occur on federal property within the state.
Answer: C
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, Question 5: You work as an investigator for the medical examiner's office. The local high school
sociology teacher has invited you to give a presentation on "medicolegal death investigation." Which
ONE of the following topics would be MOST appropriate?
A. "Autoerotic Deaths"
B. "Suicide by Police"
C. "Animal Deaths"
D. "The Role of the Medical Examiner"
E. "Turf Wars - Medical Examiner Investigators vs. Law Enforcement"
Answer: D
Question 6: Proper distribution and use of investigative reports include all of the following EXCEPT
which ONE?
A. preparing cases for court.
B. keeping other involved parties informed.
C. anticipating future needs for information.
D. providing medical information to the news media.
E. helping a forensic pathologist determine the cause and manner of death.
Answer: D
Question 7: A recent infant death you investigated has been termed a SIDS death on the preliminary
autopsy report. You, as the investigator, must contact
A. the police chaplain who will relay the findings to the family.
B. the local SIDS Center and the local police agency.
C. the local police agency; wait on calling the SIDS center until the cause of death has been finalized.
D. child protection services.
E. the district attorney's office.
Answer: B
Question 8: When one is writing descriptive information about a death scene, the name, address, and
telephone number of the decedent are all part of the _____________ to be included in the case file.
A. family history information
B. chronological data
C. demographic information
D. medical data
E. graphic information
Answer: C
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CERTIFICATION EVALUATION TEST Questions with Correct
Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: When investigating a death, it is best to
A. work alone on the investigation.
B. not listen to others or ask questions.
C. use all available resources.
D. disregard how problems affect personnel.
E. assume control of the scene immediately upon arrival.
Answer: C
Question 2: A good point to remember regarding report writing is that
A. good report writing is a skill that comes naturally; some have it, whereas others will never have it.
B. information is of little use unless it is properly documented and communicated to others.
C. organization of the report is more important than the information contained in the report.
D. abbreviations and acronyms are important "shortcuts" to good, efficient report writing.
E. the more medical terminology the better.
Answer: B
Question 3: If you are called to a hospital's emergency department to begin the medicolegal death
investigation of a death caused by a firearm, the medicolegal "scene" is
A. the emergency department.
B. the emergency department and any part of the hospital leading from the street to the room.
C. the whole hospital.
D. any location the decedent may have been prior to death.
E. any location the decedent may have been within the past 24 hours.
Answer: A
Question 4: State systems, or states with a "State Medical Examiner" typically investigate
A. all deaths that occur within their national "region" (i.e., southwestern, northeastern, etc.)
B. all deaths that occur within their state.
C. all deaths within their state that fall under statute.
D. all deaths within their county.
E. all deaths that occur on federal property within the state.
Answer: C
Page 1
, Question 5: You work as an investigator for the medical examiner's office. The local high school
sociology teacher has invited you to give a presentation on "medicolegal death investigation." Which
ONE of the following topics would be MOST appropriate?
A. "Autoerotic Deaths"
B. "Suicide by Police"
C. "Animal Deaths"
D. "The Role of the Medical Examiner"
E. "Turf Wars - Medical Examiner Investigators vs. Law Enforcement"
Answer: D
Question 6: Proper distribution and use of investigative reports include all of the following EXCEPT
which ONE?
A. preparing cases for court.
B. keeping other involved parties informed.
C. anticipating future needs for information.
D. providing medical information to the news media.
E. helping a forensic pathologist determine the cause and manner of death.
Answer: D
Question 7: A recent infant death you investigated has been termed a SIDS death on the preliminary
autopsy report. You, as the investigator, must contact
A. the police chaplain who will relay the findings to the family.
B. the local SIDS Center and the local police agency.
C. the local police agency; wait on calling the SIDS center until the cause of death has been finalized.
D. child protection services.
E. the district attorney's office.
Answer: B
Question 8: When one is writing descriptive information about a death scene, the name, address, and
telephone number of the decedent are all part of the _____________ to be included in the case file.
A. family history information
B. chronological data
C. demographic information
D. medical data
E. graphic information
Answer: C
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