Spring Semester February 2026 ABMDI Certification
Exam Prep | American Board of Medicolegal Death
Investigators Study Guide, Death Scene Investigation
Procedures, Forensic Pathology Basics, Evidence
Collection & Documentation, Toxicology Principles,
Autopsy Support & Medicolegal Case Review Practice
Questions
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of a forensic autopsy?
A) To identify the deceased
B) To determine the cause and manner of death
C) To provide closure for the family
D) To collect evidence for criminal cases
Correct Option: B) To determine the cause and manner of death
Rationale:
The primary purpose of a forensic autopsy is to ascertain the cause and manner of
death. This involves a thorough examination of the body and any relevant medical
history, aiming to provide insights into how and why the death occurred, which is crucial
for legal and investigative purposes.
Question 2
Which of the following is a commonly used type of evidence in forensic
investigations?
A) Digital footprints
B) Eyewitness accounts
C) DNA samples
D) All of the above
Correct Option: D) All of the above
Rationale:
Forensic investigations often utilize multiple forms of evidence, including digital
footprints, eyewitness accounts, and DNA samples. Each type plays a significant role in
establishing facts about the case, supporting or contradicting theories, and ultimately
aiding the judicial process.
Question 3
What is the significance of securing a crime scene?
,A) To prevent media access
B) To preserve evidence
C) To collect witness statements
D) To communicate with law enforcement
Correct Option: B) To preserve evidence
Rationale:
Securing a crime scene is crucial to ensure that evidence remains intact and unaltered.
This helps maintain the integrity of the investigation, allowing for accurate analysis and
ultimately supporting the judicial process. Any contamination of the crime scene can
jeopardize the evidence's reliability.
Question 4
In the context of forensic toxicology, what does the term 'toxicokinetics' refer to?
A) The study of poisons
B) The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of toxins
C) The effects of toxins on the body
D) The legal implications of toxic substances
Correct Option: B) The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of toxins
Rationale:
Toxicokinetics involves studying how toxins move through and are processed by the
body, including how they are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. This
understanding is essential for assessing the potential effects of toxic substances and
determining appropriate medical or legal responses.
Question 5
Which of the following is a recommended practice for documenting a crime scene?
A) Taking notes during the investigation
B) Speaking to witnesses before securing evidence
C) Photographing the scene from multiple angles
D) Only noting down items of high value
Correct Option: C) Photographing the scene from multiple angles
Rationale:
Documenting a crime scene effectively is vital for later analysis and legal processes.
Photographing from multiple angles captures a comprehensive view of the scene,
ensuring that details are preserved accurately. This documentation can be crucial for
both investigative purposes and courtroom evidence.
,Question 6
What is the primary role of a forensic pathologist?
A) To investigate crime scenes
B) To assess the psychological state of suspects
C) To perform autopsies and determine cause of death
D) To collect evidence from witnesses
Correct Option: C) To perform autopsies and determine cause of death
Rationale:
A forensic pathologist specializes in performing autopsies to determine cause and
manner of death. Their role is critical in legal contexts, providing scientific evidence
about the circumstances surrounding deaths that require investigation.
Question 7
Which of the following best describes postmortem lividity?
A) Rigor mortis
B) The body's cooling after death
C) Blood settling in dependent parts of the body
D) The stiffening of muscles after death
Correct Option: C) Blood settling in dependent parts of the body
Rationale:
Postmortem lividity refers to the pooling of blood in the lowest parts of the body due to
gravity after death. This phenomenon can provide insight into the position of the body at
the time of death and assist in determining the time of death.
Question 8
What is ‘rigor mortis’?
A) Skin changes after death
B) Body temperature at the time of death
C) The process of decomposition
D) The stiffening of muscles after death
Correct Option: D) The stiffening of muscles after death
Rationale:
Rigor mortis refers to the stiffening of the muscles following death due to chemical
changes. It typically begins within a few hours after death and can aid in estimating the
time elapsed since death based on its progression.
, Question 9
Which type of evidence is blood classified as in forensic science?
A) Class evidence
B) Circumstantial evidence
C) Direct evidence
D) Biological evidence
Correct Option: D) Biological evidence
Rationale:
Blood is considered biological evidence in forensic science since it contains genetic
material that can be analyzed for DNA, providing critical information about the identity
of individuals involved in a case.
Question 10
In forensic anthropology, what is the significance of determining the sex of skeletal
remains?
A) It helps narrow down potential identities of the deceased
B) It is not relevant to the investigation
C) It determines the time of death
D) It ensures proper burial practices
Correct Option: A) It helps narrow down potential identities of the deceased
Rationale:
Determining the sex of skeletal remains can significantly aid in identifying the deceased
by narrowing down the list of possible victims, which can further focus investigative
efforts.
Question 11
Which of the following is the first step in a forensic investigation?
A) Interviewing witnesses
B) Securing the crime scene
C) Collecting evidence
D) Analyzing the evidence
Correct Option: B) Securing the crime scene
Rationale:
Securing the crime scene is critical as it preserves evidence and prevents
Exam Prep | American Board of Medicolegal Death
Investigators Study Guide, Death Scene Investigation
Procedures, Forensic Pathology Basics, Evidence
Collection & Documentation, Toxicology Principles,
Autopsy Support & Medicolegal Case Review Practice
Questions
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of a forensic autopsy?
A) To identify the deceased
B) To determine the cause and manner of death
C) To provide closure for the family
D) To collect evidence for criminal cases
Correct Option: B) To determine the cause and manner of death
Rationale:
The primary purpose of a forensic autopsy is to ascertain the cause and manner of
death. This involves a thorough examination of the body and any relevant medical
history, aiming to provide insights into how and why the death occurred, which is crucial
for legal and investigative purposes.
Question 2
Which of the following is a commonly used type of evidence in forensic
investigations?
A) Digital footprints
B) Eyewitness accounts
C) DNA samples
D) All of the above
Correct Option: D) All of the above
Rationale:
Forensic investigations often utilize multiple forms of evidence, including digital
footprints, eyewitness accounts, and DNA samples. Each type plays a significant role in
establishing facts about the case, supporting or contradicting theories, and ultimately
aiding the judicial process.
Question 3
What is the significance of securing a crime scene?
,A) To prevent media access
B) To preserve evidence
C) To collect witness statements
D) To communicate with law enforcement
Correct Option: B) To preserve evidence
Rationale:
Securing a crime scene is crucial to ensure that evidence remains intact and unaltered.
This helps maintain the integrity of the investigation, allowing for accurate analysis and
ultimately supporting the judicial process. Any contamination of the crime scene can
jeopardize the evidence's reliability.
Question 4
In the context of forensic toxicology, what does the term 'toxicokinetics' refer to?
A) The study of poisons
B) The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of toxins
C) The effects of toxins on the body
D) The legal implications of toxic substances
Correct Option: B) The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of toxins
Rationale:
Toxicokinetics involves studying how toxins move through and are processed by the
body, including how they are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. This
understanding is essential for assessing the potential effects of toxic substances and
determining appropriate medical or legal responses.
Question 5
Which of the following is a recommended practice for documenting a crime scene?
A) Taking notes during the investigation
B) Speaking to witnesses before securing evidence
C) Photographing the scene from multiple angles
D) Only noting down items of high value
Correct Option: C) Photographing the scene from multiple angles
Rationale:
Documenting a crime scene effectively is vital for later analysis and legal processes.
Photographing from multiple angles captures a comprehensive view of the scene,
ensuring that details are preserved accurately. This documentation can be crucial for
both investigative purposes and courtroom evidence.
,Question 6
What is the primary role of a forensic pathologist?
A) To investigate crime scenes
B) To assess the psychological state of suspects
C) To perform autopsies and determine cause of death
D) To collect evidence from witnesses
Correct Option: C) To perform autopsies and determine cause of death
Rationale:
A forensic pathologist specializes in performing autopsies to determine cause and
manner of death. Their role is critical in legal contexts, providing scientific evidence
about the circumstances surrounding deaths that require investigation.
Question 7
Which of the following best describes postmortem lividity?
A) Rigor mortis
B) The body's cooling after death
C) Blood settling in dependent parts of the body
D) The stiffening of muscles after death
Correct Option: C) Blood settling in dependent parts of the body
Rationale:
Postmortem lividity refers to the pooling of blood in the lowest parts of the body due to
gravity after death. This phenomenon can provide insight into the position of the body at
the time of death and assist in determining the time of death.
Question 8
What is ‘rigor mortis’?
A) Skin changes after death
B) Body temperature at the time of death
C) The process of decomposition
D) The stiffening of muscles after death
Correct Option: D) The stiffening of muscles after death
Rationale:
Rigor mortis refers to the stiffening of the muscles following death due to chemical
changes. It typically begins within a few hours after death and can aid in estimating the
time elapsed since death based on its progression.
, Question 9
Which type of evidence is blood classified as in forensic science?
A) Class evidence
B) Circumstantial evidence
C) Direct evidence
D) Biological evidence
Correct Option: D) Biological evidence
Rationale:
Blood is considered biological evidence in forensic science since it contains genetic
material that can be analyzed for DNA, providing critical information about the identity
of individuals involved in a case.
Question 10
In forensic anthropology, what is the significance of determining the sex of skeletal
remains?
A) It helps narrow down potential identities of the deceased
B) It is not relevant to the investigation
C) It determines the time of death
D) It ensures proper burial practices
Correct Option: A) It helps narrow down potential identities of the deceased
Rationale:
Determining the sex of skeletal remains can significantly aid in identifying the deceased
by narrowing down the list of possible victims, which can further focus investigative
efforts.
Question 11
Which of the following is the first step in a forensic investigation?
A) Interviewing witnesses
B) Securing the crime scene
C) Collecting evidence
D) Analyzing the evidence
Correct Option: B) Securing the crime scene
Rationale:
Securing the crime scene is critical as it preserves evidence and prevents
