ABMDI Demonstrating Scientific
Knowledge
Sings of Death Include: - correct answer--Lack of Pulse/Respiration
-Absence of Heartbeat
-Lack of Corneal Reflex and Pupillary Constriction
-Coolness of the Body
-Rigor Mortis
-Livor Mortis
Rigor Mortis - correct answer-Stiffness of the body that sets in several hours after death
Rigor Mortis (Continued) - correct 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
Livor Mortis - correct answer-The pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a
reddish color to the skin
Livor Mortis (Continued) - correct 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
Tardieu Spots - correct answer-In advance stages of livor mortis, the skin capillaries often
rupture and cause pin point hemorrhages
Eye Changes after Death - correct answer--Clouding (occurring 1-2 hours)
-Sclera Dryness (TACHE NOIR)
Body Temperature - correct answer--Rate at which bodies cool is NOT uniform!!!
Algor Mortis - correct answer-Cooling of the body after death
Decomposition Patterns - correct 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
Inspect the Body (External: Head) - correct 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
Inspect the Body (External: Neck) - correct 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
Inspect the Body (External: Chest) - correct 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
Inspect the Body (External: Abdomen) - correct 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
Inspect the Body (External: External Genitalia) - correct 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
Inspect the Body (External: Lower Extremities) - correct 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.
Inspect the Body (External: Upper Extremities) - correct answer--Examine color and
appearance of fingernails (torn or fractured fingernails may indicate a struggle.
-DO NOT attempt to fingerprint the decedent until trace evidence has been recovered.
-Examine the antecubital fossae of the arm for the presence of perforations or hemorrhage,
which may indicate drug abuse.
-Examine wrists for scarring, suggestive of past suicide attempts
Inspect the Body (External: Back) - correct answer--Inspect the back for evidence of
previous surgery or trauma
Inspect the Body (External: Skin) - correct answer--Examine the skin for color, texture,
inflammation, and injury.
Knowledge
Sings of Death Include: - correct answer--Lack of Pulse/Respiration
-Absence of Heartbeat
-Lack of Corneal Reflex and Pupillary Constriction
-Coolness of the Body
-Rigor Mortis
-Livor Mortis
Rigor Mortis - correct answer-Stiffness of the body that sets in several hours after death
Rigor Mortis (Continued) - correct 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
Livor Mortis - correct answer-The pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a
reddish color to the skin
Livor Mortis (Continued) - correct 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
Tardieu Spots - correct answer-In advance stages of livor mortis, the skin capillaries often
rupture and cause pin point hemorrhages
Eye Changes after Death - correct answer--Clouding (occurring 1-2 hours)
-Sclera Dryness (TACHE NOIR)
Body Temperature - correct answer--Rate at which bodies cool is NOT uniform!!!
Algor Mortis - correct answer-Cooling of the body after death
Decomposition Patterns - correct 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
Inspect the Body (External: Head) - correct 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
Inspect the Body (External: Neck) - correct 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
Inspect the Body (External: Chest) - correct 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
Inspect the Body (External: Abdomen) - correct 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
Inspect the Body (External: External Genitalia) - correct 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
Inspect the Body (External: Lower Extremities) - correct 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.
Inspect the Body (External: Upper Extremities) - correct answer--Examine color and
appearance of fingernails (torn or fractured fingernails may indicate a struggle.
-DO NOT attempt to fingerprint the decedent until trace evidence has been recovered.
-Examine the antecubital fossae of the arm for the presence of perforations or hemorrhage,
which may indicate drug abuse.
-Examine wrists for scarring, suggestive of past suicide attempts
Inspect the Body (External: Back) - correct answer--Inspect the back for evidence of
previous surgery or trauma
Inspect the Body (External: Skin) - correct answer--Examine the skin for color, texture,
inflammation, and injury.
