ABMDI: Textbook Sample Questions with 100% correct answers

Who officially pronounces a death? A. Only a physician B. Any medical professional C. Any responsible party D. On-duty PD E. Depends on state statutes and local customs E Authorization to conduct a medicolegal autopsy must be provided by: A. Decedent's NOK B. Coroner or ME when jurisdiction is established C. Will or other document signed before death D. The treating physician E. All of the above B A previously healthy 4-month-old infant is found unresponsive in his crib at home. He is rushed to a hospital, where he is maintained on a respirator for 26 hours before being declared dead. No external trauma or disease is noted by the treating physician. A. ME has no jurisdiction b/c of hospitalization B. ME has jurisdiction b/c of the unexplained death of an infant C. ME has jurisdiction b/c of length of hospitalization D. Absence of trauma precludes the ME having jurisdiction E. Significant trauma will always be apparent on the surface of the body B Your office is investigating a suspected SIDS death. You should notify your statewide SIDS program... A. ASAP following the autopsy B. w/in 24 hours of the death C. w/in 48 hours of the death D. w/in 72 hours of the death E. w/in one week of the death A In general, which of the following are NOT normally considered for organ/tissue procurement purposes? A. Liver and kidneys B. Long bones and pelvis C. Reproductive organs D. Heart valves E. Pancreas and skin C Authorization for organ/tissue procurement is considered valid if: A. A donor designation appears on the decedent's driver's license B. A donor card with the decedent's name is found in his/her wallet or purse C. An emergency room physician gives permission D. The decedent's legal NOK has given consent E. No legal NOK can be located D The MEI and a police officer arrive at the scene within minutes of each other. A. The police officer is in charge and directs the work B. The MEI is in charge and directs the work C. The best approach is a "team approach" to preforming the work D. Each has specific responsibilities to perform and they should not interact E. Work together only if necessary; you represent different agencies C In constructing a narrative report, the main idea is to relate: A. Your involvement in the case B. The main reason for death C. An overall and concise view of what happened D. How the deceased was identified E. Background info regarding the condition of the body C Choose one of the most important communication skills for gathering information at the scene: A. Talk to all the neighbors B. Listen and actively study witnesses C. Write down your thoughts D. Avoid eye contact with suspects E. None of the above B The pathologist must be alerted to religious requests from the family A. Before the victim's body is taken from the hospital B. After the autopsy, before the body is taken to the funeral home C. Only is the religion requires it D. Before the autopsy is performed E. Before the victim's body is taken from the scene D When communicating with the pathologist, a good investigator distinguishes between a request for information and a request for an opinion. Which type is the following question: "What time was the death pronounced?" A. Request for an opinion B. Request for information C. Request for info and opinion D. Request for assistance E. None of the above B When obtaining information about a decedent from family members, the first priority should ALWAYS be to obtain information from: A. The family member who seems the most stable B. Family member that last saw the decedent, or has firsthand knowledge regarding the circumstances surrounding the death/medical history C. Decedent's primary care giver or personal doctor D. Family member in control of the family unit E. Police officer that found the body B Family members often ask why the ME is involved. When discussing the case with the family, what is the best prescribed answer to give them? A. Simply say "it's the law." B. Explain what's believed to have occurred and why the ME is investigating the death C. Explain that the decedent's attending physician does not want to be involved with certifying the COD and MOD D. Tell them to seek legal counsel if they have any questions E. Refuse to answer B When investigating a "homicide" death case, you discover that the victim and surviving family are orthodox Jews. The family voice their objection to an autopsy being performed. Which of the following would be the best recommended procedure to follow? A. Tell the family that "It's a homicide case, and therefore an autopsy must be performed." B. Have the homicide detective in charge of the case talk with the family C. Counsel the family. Explain the circumstances surrounding the investigation and why the autopsy needs to be performed D. Have the family's rabbi talk with them and the detective in charge E. Refer the family to county medical society C If the deceased is decomposed, mutilated, or burned beyond recognition and the family still insists on viewing the body, the investigator should: A. Expedite the family's request for an immediate viewing B. Refuse their request to view the remains under any circumstances C. Prepare the family before viewing with a verbal explanation and possibly pictures of the remains D. Gather all pertinent information from the family after they view the remains E. Allow all family members to view the remains, regardless of reasons why they want to C A clandestine meth lab has exploded, and the "chemist's" body is on the scene. You may undertake your scene investigation when: A. PD and FD think the scene is safe B. FD and hazardous materials team thinks the scene is safe C. FD and PD Chief think the scene is safe D. The media have arrived E. Visible flames are no longer present B