ABMDI Section 7 - Forensic and
Medical Knowledge Combined Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
What are the 4 variables that affect Algor Mortis? -
correct answer ✅Temperature of body at time of death,
environment, habitus, clothing & bedding.
What product causes green lividity? -
correct answer ✅Hydrogen Sulfide
What is the digestion of cells and tissues due to intrinsic enzymes
and proteins called? -
correct answer ✅Autolysis
What is the breakdown of tissue as the result of bacterial action
called? -
correct answer ✅Putrefaction
What is the name of the stage of decomposition when rigor mortis
and lividity become fixed? -
correct answer ✅Early decomposition
What delays fixation of lividity? -
correct answer ✅Cold
,ABMDI Section 7 - Forensic and
Medical Knowledge Combined Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
What accelerates rigor mortis? -
correct answer ✅Any exertion that depletes ATP prior to death.
How many hours does it take for livor mortis to begin? -
correct answer ✅0.5-2 hours
How many hours does it take for maximum livor mortis to happen?
-
correct answer ✅8-12 hours
How many hours does it take for livor mortis to become fixed? -
correct answer ✅12-18 hours
How many hours does it take for rigor mortis to begin? -
correct answer ✅2-4 hours
How many hours does it take to obtain full rigor mortis? -
correct answer ✅6-12 hours
,ABMDI Section 7 - Forensic and
Medical Knowledge Combined Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
When does rigor mortis end? -
correct answer ✅At the onset of decomposition.
What happens to a body in hot dry climates in advanced
decomposition? -
correct answer ✅Mummification
What happens to a body in cold, wet climates in advanced
decomposition? -
correct answer ✅Adipocere
What appears when a body has been decomposing for 24 hours? -
correct answer ✅A greenish discoloration of the lower right
abdomen.
What appears when a body has been decomposing for 36-48
hours? -
correct answer ✅Marbling and bloating of the face.
, ABMDI Section 7 - Forensic and
Medical Knowledge Combined Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
What appears when a body has been decomposing for 48-60
hours? -
correct answer ✅Desiccation (drying) of fingertips.
What appears when a body has been decomposing for 60-72
hours? -
correct answer ✅Bloating and Purging
What appears when a body has been decomposing for 4-7 days? -
correct answer ✅Skin blebs, hair sloughing and skin slippage.
What happens to a decomposing body days to weeks? -
correct answer ✅Dehydration of body tissues.
What happens to a decomposing body weeks to months? -
correct answer ✅Adipocere, mummification and skeletonization.
When does drying of lips and fingertips begin? -
correct answer ✅48-60 hours
Medical Knowledge Combined Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
What are the 4 variables that affect Algor Mortis? -
correct answer ✅Temperature of body at time of death,
environment, habitus, clothing & bedding.
What product causes green lividity? -
correct answer ✅Hydrogen Sulfide
What is the digestion of cells and tissues due to intrinsic enzymes
and proteins called? -
correct answer ✅Autolysis
What is the breakdown of tissue as the result of bacterial action
called? -
correct answer ✅Putrefaction
What is the name of the stage of decomposition when rigor mortis
and lividity become fixed? -
correct answer ✅Early decomposition
What delays fixation of lividity? -
correct answer ✅Cold
,ABMDI Section 7 - Forensic and
Medical Knowledge Combined Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
What accelerates rigor mortis? -
correct answer ✅Any exertion that depletes ATP prior to death.
How many hours does it take for livor mortis to begin? -
correct answer ✅0.5-2 hours
How many hours does it take for maximum livor mortis to happen?
-
correct answer ✅8-12 hours
How many hours does it take for livor mortis to become fixed? -
correct answer ✅12-18 hours
How many hours does it take for rigor mortis to begin? -
correct answer ✅2-4 hours
How many hours does it take to obtain full rigor mortis? -
correct answer ✅6-12 hours
,ABMDI Section 7 - Forensic and
Medical Knowledge Combined Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
When does rigor mortis end? -
correct answer ✅At the onset of decomposition.
What happens to a body in hot dry climates in advanced
decomposition? -
correct answer ✅Mummification
What happens to a body in cold, wet climates in advanced
decomposition? -
correct answer ✅Adipocere
What appears when a body has been decomposing for 24 hours? -
correct answer ✅A greenish discoloration of the lower right
abdomen.
What appears when a body has been decomposing for 36-48
hours? -
correct answer ✅Marbling and bloating of the face.
, ABMDI Section 7 - Forensic and
Medical Knowledge Combined Exam
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
What appears when a body has been decomposing for 48-60
hours? -
correct answer ✅Desiccation (drying) of fingertips.
What appears when a body has been decomposing for 60-72
hours? -
correct answer ✅Bloating and Purging
What appears when a body has been decomposing for 4-7 days? -
correct answer ✅Skin blebs, hair sloughing and skin slippage.
What happens to a decomposing body days to weeks? -
correct answer ✅Dehydration of body tissues.
What happens to a decomposing body weeks to months? -
correct answer ✅Adipocere, mummification and skeletonization.
When does drying of lips and fingertips begin? -
correct answer ✅48-60 hours
