ABMDI DEMONSTRATING SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE
ACTUAL PAPER Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: Rigor Mortis
Answer: Stiffness of the body that sets in several hours after death
Question 2: Rigor Mortis (Continued)
Answer: -Starts in the smaller muscles (jaw, extremities) **First Indicator appears after 2-4 hours**
**Maximum Indicator is after 8-12 hours** -Onset and Dissipation of rigor is rapid in children compared to
adults
Question 3: Livor Mortis
Answer: The pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a reddish color to the skin
Question 4: Livor Mortis (Continued)
Answer: -Takes approximately 2-4 hours to develop -As interval extends, the livor becomes fixed and will
not blanch on pressure -Generally, livor is fixed after 8-12 hours after death
Question 5: Tardieu Spots
Answer: In advance stages of livor mortis, the skin capillaries often rupture and cause pin point
hemorrhages
Question 6: Eye Changes after Death
Answer:
1. Clouding (occurring 1-2 hours)
2. Sclera Dryness (TACHE NOIR)
Question 7: Body Temperature
Answer: -Rate at which bodies cool is NOT uniform!!!
Question 8: Algor Mortis
Answer: Cooling of the body after death
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, Question 9: Decomposition Patterns
Answer: 24 hours: greenish discoloration of right, lower abdomen 24-36 hours: greenish discoloration of the
abdomen 36-48 hours: marbling, bloating of the face 48-60 hours: desiccation (drying) of the fingertips
60-72 hours: bloating of the body (purging) 4-7 days: skin blebs, hair sloughing, skin slippage days-weeks:
dehydration of the body tissues weeks-months: adipocere, mummification, skeletonization
Question 10: Inspect the Body (External: Head)
Answer: -Examine the scalp for hidden trauma! -Lacerations may stick together; bullet wounds may be
obscured -Inspect ears for hemorrhage/foreign bodies -Evaluate eyes for petechial hemorrhages, jaundice,
or trauma -Oral cavity may reveal trauma, foreign bodies, or evidence of poor hygiene -Nasal Septum may
be perforated due to chronic cocaine abuse
Question 11: Inspect the Body (External: Neck)
Answer: -Any identifiable trauma should be documented -DO NOT recover specimens from neck veins of
homicide victims (it might create trauma) -View the posterior neck as well! -Examine the neck for evidence
of enlarged lymph nodes, thyroid, and/or other masses -Palpate the neck with PASSIVE flexion and
extension to reveal fractures
Question 12: Inspect the Body (External: Chest)
Answer: -Examine the dimensions of the chest, documenting the anterior-posterior size -An enlarged,
barrel-shaped chest is a sign of chronic lung disease. -Palpate the breasts for any masses
Question 13: Inspect the Body (External: Abdomen)
Answer: -Palpate the abdomen to detect the presence of fluid or masses. -Excessive fluid may represent
liver cirrhosis or failure. -Document recent and remote surgical incisions. -Trauma may not be readily
apparent over the abdominal wall due to the elasticity of the tissues
Question 14: Inspect the Body (External: External Genitalia)
Answer: -Examine the external genitalia in the MALE for masses, ulcerations, and surgery. -Note the
presence or absence of circumcision -IN FEMALE, examine for prolapse of the uterus, masses, trauma, and
ulcerations
Question 15: Inspect the Body (External: Lower Extremities)
Answer: -Fractures of the hip are usually indicated by the shortening and external rotation of the limbs
-Look for any trauma, fractures, burns, and scratches. -Ascertain the presence of edema or brownish
discoloration, suggestive of congestive heart failure.
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ACTUAL PAPER Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: Rigor Mortis
Answer: Stiffness of the body that sets in several hours after death
Question 2: Rigor Mortis (Continued)
Answer: -Starts in the smaller muscles (jaw, extremities) **First Indicator appears after 2-4 hours**
**Maximum Indicator is after 8-12 hours** -Onset and Dissipation of rigor is rapid in children compared to
adults
Question 3: Livor Mortis
Answer: The pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a reddish color to the skin
Question 4: Livor Mortis (Continued)
Answer: -Takes approximately 2-4 hours to develop -As interval extends, the livor becomes fixed and will
not blanch on pressure -Generally, livor is fixed after 8-12 hours after death
Question 5: Tardieu Spots
Answer: In advance stages of livor mortis, the skin capillaries often rupture and cause pin point
hemorrhages
Question 6: Eye Changes after Death
Answer:
1. Clouding (occurring 1-2 hours)
2. Sclera Dryness (TACHE NOIR)
Question 7: Body Temperature
Answer: -Rate at which bodies cool is NOT uniform!!!
Question 8: Algor Mortis
Answer: Cooling of the body after death
Page 1
, Question 9: Decomposition Patterns
Answer: 24 hours: greenish discoloration of right, lower abdomen 24-36 hours: greenish discoloration of the
abdomen 36-48 hours: marbling, bloating of the face 48-60 hours: desiccation (drying) of the fingertips
60-72 hours: bloating of the body (purging) 4-7 days: skin blebs, hair sloughing, skin slippage days-weeks:
dehydration of the body tissues weeks-months: adipocere, mummification, skeletonization
Question 10: Inspect the Body (External: Head)
Answer: -Examine the scalp for hidden trauma! -Lacerations may stick together; bullet wounds may be
obscured -Inspect ears for hemorrhage/foreign bodies -Evaluate eyes for petechial hemorrhages, jaundice,
or trauma -Oral cavity may reveal trauma, foreign bodies, or evidence of poor hygiene -Nasal Septum may
be perforated due to chronic cocaine abuse
Question 11: Inspect the Body (External: Neck)
Answer: -Any identifiable trauma should be documented -DO NOT recover specimens from neck veins of
homicide victims (it might create trauma) -View the posterior neck as well! -Examine the neck for evidence
of enlarged lymph nodes, thyroid, and/or other masses -Palpate the neck with PASSIVE flexion and
extension to reveal fractures
Question 12: Inspect the Body (External: Chest)
Answer: -Examine the dimensions of the chest, documenting the anterior-posterior size -An enlarged,
barrel-shaped chest is a sign of chronic lung disease. -Palpate the breasts for any masses
Question 13: Inspect the Body (External: Abdomen)
Answer: -Palpate the abdomen to detect the presence of fluid or masses. -Excessive fluid may represent
liver cirrhosis or failure. -Document recent and remote surgical incisions. -Trauma may not be readily
apparent over the abdominal wall due to the elasticity of the tissues
Question 14: Inspect the Body (External: External Genitalia)
Answer: -Examine the external genitalia in the MALE for masses, ulcerations, and surgery. -Note the
presence or absence of circumcision -IN FEMALE, examine for prolapse of the uterus, masses, trauma, and
ulcerations
Question 15: Inspect the Body (External: Lower Extremities)
Answer: -Fractures of the hip are usually indicated by the shortening and external rotation of the limbs
-Look for any trauma, fractures, burns, and scratches. -Ascertain the presence of edema or brownish
discoloration, suggestive of congestive heart failure.
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