MEDICOLEGAL DEATH
INVESTIGATION EXAM 1 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Official pronouncement of death can
a. be accomplished only be a physician
b. by any medical professional
c. any responsible party
d. on-duty police officers
e. be determined by state statute and local customs - ANS e. be determined by state statute
and local customs
Authorization to conduct a medicolegal autopsy must be provided by
a. decedent's next of kin
b. coroner or medical examiner when jurisdiction is established
c. a will or other document signed before death
d. treating physician
e. all of the above - ANS b - when death is not under jurisdiction of ME or coronoer, next of
kin must give written permission to perform autopsy
1 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
,A previously healthy four month old infant is found unresponsive in his crib at home. He is
rushed to a hospital, where his is maintained on a respirator for 26 hours before being declared
dead. No external trauma or disease is noted by the treating physician.
a. the coroner is without jurisdiction because of hospitalization
b. the coroner has jurisdiction because of the unexplained death of an infant
c. the coroner has jurisdiction because of length of hospitalization
d. the absence of trauma precludes the coroner's having jurisdiction
e. significant trauma will always be apparent on the surface of the body - ANS b - sudden and
unexpected death
your office is investigating a suspected SIDS death. You should notify your statewide SIDS
program (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
a. as soon as possible following the autopsy
b. within 24 hours of death
c. within 48 hours
d. within 72 hours
e. within one week of death - ANS a - so support services for family can be initiated promptly
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 - ANS c - organs considered are solid organs, liver, pancreas, kidney,
heart, lungs, tendons, heart valves, corneas, skin, bone
2 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
, Authorization for organ/tissue procurement is considered valid if
a. a donor designation appears on the decedent's drivers 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. decedent's legal next of kin or representative has given consent
e. no legal next of kin can be located - ANS d. allows contact of the organ procurement team
with the family to obtain necessary medical and social history in addition to their written
consent. next of kin MUST give permission for recovery of organs
an infant born without a brain - ANS anencephalic
sorrow following death of a loved one - ANS bereavement
cessation of activity in central nervous system - ANS brain death
cessation of activity in cardiovascular system - ANS cardiac death - involves heart and blood
vessels
final stoppage of action - ANS cessation
elected official who decides whether a death occurred under circumstances that require and
autopsy - ANS coroner
power or authority a court or office has over individuals or trauma - ANS jurisdiction
person who gives consent to medicolegal death investigator before initiating any procurement
activity - ANS legal next of kin
3 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
INVESTIGATION EXAM 1 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Official pronouncement of death can
a. be accomplished only be a physician
b. by any medical professional
c. any responsible party
d. on-duty police officers
e. be determined by state statute and local customs - ANS e. be determined by state statute
and local customs
Authorization to conduct a medicolegal autopsy must be provided by
a. decedent's next of kin
b. coroner or medical examiner when jurisdiction is established
c. a will or other document signed before death
d. treating physician
e. all of the above - ANS b - when death is not under jurisdiction of ME or coronoer, next of
kin must give written permission to perform autopsy
1 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
,A previously healthy four month old infant is found unresponsive in his crib at home. He is
rushed to a hospital, where his is maintained on a respirator for 26 hours before being declared
dead. No external trauma or disease is noted by the treating physician.
a. the coroner is without jurisdiction because of hospitalization
b. the coroner has jurisdiction because of the unexplained death of an infant
c. the coroner has jurisdiction because of length of hospitalization
d. the absence of trauma precludes the coroner's having jurisdiction
e. significant trauma will always be apparent on the surface of the body - ANS b - sudden and
unexpected death
your office is investigating a suspected SIDS death. You should notify your statewide SIDS
program (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
a. as soon as possible following the autopsy
b. within 24 hours of death
c. within 48 hours
d. within 72 hours
e. within one week of death - ANS a - so support services for family can be initiated promptly
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 - ANS c - organs considered are solid organs, liver, pancreas, kidney,
heart, lungs, tendons, heart valves, corneas, skin, bone
2 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
, Authorization for organ/tissue procurement is considered valid if
a. a donor designation appears on the decedent's drivers 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. decedent's legal next of kin or representative has given consent
e. no legal next of kin can be located - ANS d. allows contact of the organ procurement team
with the family to obtain necessary medical and social history in addition to their written
consent. next of kin MUST give permission for recovery of organs
an infant born without a brain - ANS anencephalic
sorrow following death of a loved one - ANS bereavement
cessation of activity in central nervous system - ANS brain death
cessation of activity in cardiovascular system - ANS cardiac death - involves heart and blood
vessels
final stoppage of action - ANS cessation
elected official who decides whether a death occurred under circumstances that require and
autopsy - ANS coroner
power or authority a court or office has over individuals or trauma - ANS jurisdiction
person who gives consent to medicolegal death investigator before initiating any procurement
activity - ANS legal next of kin
3 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
