DEATH INVESTIGATION ABMDI EXAM 2026
FORENSIC DOCUMENTATION WORKBOOK
SOLVED QUESTIONS COMPILATION
◉ When investigating a death, it is best to
A.work alone on the investigation.
B.not listen to others or ask questions.
C.use all available resources.
D.disregard how problems affect personnel.
E.assume control of the scene immediately upon arrival.
Answer: C
◉ A good point to remember regarding report writing is that
A.good report writing is a skill that comes naturally; some have it,
whereas others will never have it.
B.information is of little use unless it is properly documented and
communicated to others.
C.organization of the report is more important than the information
contained in the report.
D.abbreviations and acronyms are important "shortcuts" to good,
efficient report writing.
E.the more medical terminology the better.
,Answer: B
◉ If you are called to a hospital's emergency department to begin
the medicolegal death investigation of a death caused by a firearm,
the medicolegal "scene" is
A.the emergency department.
B.the emergency department and any part of the hospital leading
from the street to the room.
C.the whole hospital.
D.any location the decedent may have been prior to death.
E.any location the decedent may have been within the past 24 hours.
Answer: A
◉ State systems, or states with a "State Medical Examiner" typically
investigate
A.all deaths that occur within their national "region" (i.e.,
southwestern, northeastern, etc.)
B.all deaths that occur within their state.
C.all deaths within their state that fall under statute.
D.all deaths within their county.
E.all deaths that occur on federal property within the state.
Answer: C
, ◉ You work as an investigator for the medical examiner's office. The
local high school sociology teacher has invited you to give a
presentation on "medicolegal death investigation." Which ONE of the
following topics would be MOST appropriate?
A."Autoerotic Deaths"
B."Suicide by Police"
C."Animal Deaths"
D."The Role of the Medical Examiner"
E."Turf Wars - Medical Examiner Investigators vs. Law Enforcement"
Answer: D
◉ Proper distribution and use of investigative reports include all of
the following EXCEPT which ONE?
A.preparing cases for court.
B.keeping other involved parties informed.
C.anticipating future needs for information.
D.providing medical information to the news media.
E.helping a forensic pathologist determine the cause and manner of
death.
Answer: D
◉ A recent infant death you investigated has been termed a SIDS
death on the preliminary autopsy report. You, as the investigator,
must contact
FORENSIC DOCUMENTATION WORKBOOK
SOLVED QUESTIONS COMPILATION
◉ When investigating a death, it is best to
A.work alone on the investigation.
B.not listen to others or ask questions.
C.use all available resources.
D.disregard how problems affect personnel.
E.assume control of the scene immediately upon arrival.
Answer: C
◉ A good point to remember regarding report writing is that
A.good report writing is a skill that comes naturally; some have it,
whereas others will never have it.
B.information is of little use unless it is properly documented and
communicated to others.
C.organization of the report is more important than the information
contained in the report.
D.abbreviations and acronyms are important "shortcuts" to good,
efficient report writing.
E.the more medical terminology the better.
,Answer: B
◉ If you are called to a hospital's emergency department to begin
the medicolegal death investigation of a death caused by a firearm,
the medicolegal "scene" is
A.the emergency department.
B.the emergency department and any part of the hospital leading
from the street to the room.
C.the whole hospital.
D.any location the decedent may have been prior to death.
E.any location the decedent may have been within the past 24 hours.
Answer: A
◉ State systems, or states with a "State Medical Examiner" typically
investigate
A.all deaths that occur within their national "region" (i.e.,
southwestern, northeastern, etc.)
B.all deaths that occur within their state.
C.all deaths within their state that fall under statute.
D.all deaths within their county.
E.all deaths that occur on federal property within the state.
Answer: C
, ◉ You work as an investigator for the medical examiner's office. The
local high school sociology teacher has invited you to give a
presentation on "medicolegal death investigation." Which ONE of the
following topics would be MOST appropriate?
A."Autoerotic Deaths"
B."Suicide by Police"
C."Animal Deaths"
D."The Role of the Medical Examiner"
E."Turf Wars - Medical Examiner Investigators vs. Law Enforcement"
Answer: D
◉ Proper distribution and use of investigative reports include all of
the following EXCEPT which ONE?
A.preparing cases for court.
B.keeping other involved parties informed.
C.anticipating future needs for information.
D.providing medical information to the news media.
E.helping a forensic pathologist determine the cause and manner of
death.
Answer: D
◉ A recent infant death you investigated has been termed a SIDS
death on the preliminary autopsy report. You, as the investigator,
must contact
