1 | Page
ABMDI BOARD CERTIFICATION 2025
UPDATED ACTUAL EXAM WITH
CORRECT SOLUTIONS.
Barbituates - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- Barbituate. Used in treatment of
migraines.
Phenobarbital - correct answer- Barbituate. Used as
anticonvulsant.
Pentobarbital - correct answer- Barbituate. Used to relieve
intracranial pressure following trauma.
,2 | Page
Atropine - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- Belladonna Alkaloid. Used
as anxiolytics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and as
preoperative sedatives.
Common benzos: alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam, and
diazepam.
Extensive hepatic metabolism.
,3 | Page
Adult flies caught at the scene need to be properly stored to
send to the lab. This involves - correct answer- 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. - correct answer-
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 - correct answer- Thin-layer
chromatography
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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 - correct answer- 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. - correct answer- 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.
ABMDI BOARD CERTIFICATION 2025
UPDATED ACTUAL EXAM WITH
CORRECT SOLUTIONS.
Barbituates - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- Barbituate. Used in treatment of
migraines.
Phenobarbital - correct answer- Barbituate. Used as
anticonvulsant.
Pentobarbital - correct answer- Barbituate. Used to relieve
intracranial pressure following trauma.
,2 | Page
Atropine - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- Belladonna Alkaloid. Used
as anxiolytics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and as
preoperative sedatives.
Common benzos: alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam, and
diazepam.
Extensive hepatic metabolism.
,3 | Page
Adult flies caught at the scene need to be properly stored to
send to the lab. This involves - correct answer- 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. - correct answer-
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 - correct answer- Thin-layer
chromatography
, 4 | Page
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 - correct answer- 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. - correct answer- 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.
