ABMDI TEST
BANK
ABMDI TEST BANK QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS; ALREADY GRADED A;
2025
,Barbituates - ANS-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 - ANS-Barbituate. Used in treatment of migraines
Phenobarbital - ANS-Barbituate. Used as anticonvulsant
Pentobarbital - ANS-Barbituate. Used to relieve intracranial pressure following trauma
Atropine - ANS-Belladonna Alkaloid.
Derived from certain plants including jimsonweed 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 - ANS-Belladonna Alkaloid.
Derived from jimsonweed 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 - ANS-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: - ANS-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 postmortem 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 death - ANS-e. Detect volatile hydrocarbons in fire death
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 - ANS-c. 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 - ANS-d. 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 - ANS-c. 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 - ANS-e. 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 - ANS-c. 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 - ANS-d. 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 - ANS-c. 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 - ANS-d. A gunshot wound, power tool, or machinery
The "postmortem 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 - ANS-e. 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 - ANS-a. 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 - ANS-a. 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 - ANS-d. 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 - ANS-c. 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 - ANS-d. 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 - ANS-e. 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 - ANS-e. 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 - ANS-d. 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 - ANS-a. 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 - ANS-c. Obtain a
search warrant before entering the apartment
Courtroom etiquette requires ALL of the following EXCEPT which ONE?:
BANK
ABMDI TEST BANK QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS; ALREADY GRADED A;
2025
,Barbituates - ANS-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 - ANS-Barbituate. Used in treatment of migraines
Phenobarbital - ANS-Barbituate. Used as anticonvulsant
Pentobarbital - ANS-Barbituate. Used to relieve intracranial pressure following trauma
Atropine - ANS-Belladonna Alkaloid.
Derived from certain plants including jimsonweed 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 - ANS-Belladonna Alkaloid.
Derived from jimsonweed 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 - ANS-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: - ANS-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 postmortem 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 death - ANS-e. Detect volatile hydrocarbons in fire death
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 - ANS-c. 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 - ANS-d. 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 - ANS-c. 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 - ANS-e. 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 - ANS-c. 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 - ANS-d. 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 - ANS-c. 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 - ANS-d. A gunshot wound, power tool, or machinery
The "postmortem 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 - ANS-e. 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 - ANS-a. 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 - ANS-a. 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 - ANS-d. 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 - ANS-c. 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 - ANS-d. 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 - ANS-e. 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 - ANS-e. 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 - ANS-d. 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 - ANS-a. 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 - ANS-c. Obtain a
search warrant before entering the apartment
Courtroom etiquette requires ALL of the following EXCEPT which ONE?:
