ABMDI REGISTRY CERTIFICATION
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Laparotomy - ANS surgical incision into the abdomen
What are 5 different ways you can describe the level or extent of rigor mortis? - ANS Absent
Minimal
Moderate
Advanced
Complete
What are 3 categories of descriptors that can be used to describe livor mortis? -
ANS Coloration: Pink - Purple discoloration
Location on the body
State of fixation: Fixed or Unfixed / Blanchable
1 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
,How should physical assessments of bodies occur. - ANS Starting from the head and working
your way down, noting obvious trauma and trace evidence.
What considerations should be made when turning over a body during physical assessment? -
ANS Ensure the body is turned over onto a clean white sheet to mitigate the loss of any
possible trace evidence.
Continue assessment of the posterior as was done to the anterior.
What can be done to preserve physical evidence on hands or feet? - ANS A paper bag can be
placed on the hands and feet after photographing.
What considerations should be made prior to handling evidence? - ANS Do not handle
evidence before obtaining fingerprints unless given permission by the investigating officer in
charge.
What considerations should be made with personal property? - ANS Recognize, document
and collect all items attached to the body.
What do bruises on the decedent's body indicate? - ANS Bruises on the body usually indicate
that the person was alive at the time of injury
What are 4 types of searches at a scene? - ANS Spiral (circular search pattern)
Radial (spoke-like search pattern)
Strip (linear search pattern)
Grid (cross linear search pattern)
2 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
, What are 2 basic measurement techniques for scene examinations? - ANS Coordinate
method (uses a fixed point to measure distance from)
Triangulation method (uses 2 fixed points to measure distance from)
Why may a tox draw be necessary at the scene? - ANS Some drugs and poisons may
deteriorate or metabolize during the post mortem interval.
What kinds of toxicology can be drawn from the scene? - ANS Urine
Peripheral blood
Vitreous fluid
What are the procedures for drawing urine at a scene? - ANS Urine may be recovered when
bladder remains distended:
- Locate pubic bone in the midline of the lower abdomen
- Puncture skin approx 2 to 3 inches (toward the head) from the pubic bone in the midline of
the abdomen
- Advance needle at 45 degree angle
- When bladder is punctured, urine will rapidly fill the syringe
What sites can be used to draw peripheral blood? - ANS Subclavian
Femoral
3 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Laparotomy - ANS surgical incision into the abdomen
What are 5 different ways you can describe the level or extent of rigor mortis? - ANS Absent
Minimal
Moderate
Advanced
Complete
What are 3 categories of descriptors that can be used to describe livor mortis? -
ANS Coloration: Pink - Purple discoloration
Location on the body
State of fixation: Fixed or Unfixed / Blanchable
1 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
,How should physical assessments of bodies occur. - ANS Starting from the head and working
your way down, noting obvious trauma and trace evidence.
What considerations should be made when turning over a body during physical assessment? -
ANS Ensure the body is turned over onto a clean white sheet to mitigate the loss of any
possible trace evidence.
Continue assessment of the posterior as was done to the anterior.
What can be done to preserve physical evidence on hands or feet? - ANS A paper bag can be
placed on the hands and feet after photographing.
What considerations should be made prior to handling evidence? - ANS Do not handle
evidence before obtaining fingerprints unless given permission by the investigating officer in
charge.
What considerations should be made with personal property? - ANS Recognize, document
and collect all items attached to the body.
What do bruises on the decedent's body indicate? - ANS Bruises on the body usually indicate
that the person was alive at the time of injury
What are 4 types of searches at a scene? - ANS Spiral (circular search pattern)
Radial (spoke-like search pattern)
Strip (linear search pattern)
Grid (cross linear search pattern)
2 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
, What are 2 basic measurement techniques for scene examinations? - ANS Coordinate
method (uses a fixed point to measure distance from)
Triangulation method (uses 2 fixed points to measure distance from)
Why may a tox draw be necessary at the scene? - ANS Some drugs and poisons may
deteriorate or metabolize during the post mortem interval.
What kinds of toxicology can be drawn from the scene? - ANS Urine
Peripheral blood
Vitreous fluid
What are the procedures for drawing urine at a scene? - ANS Urine may be recovered when
bladder remains distended:
- Locate pubic bone in the midline of the lower abdomen
- Puncture skin approx 2 to 3 inches (toward the head) from the pubic bone in the midline of
the abdomen
- Advance needle at 45 degree angle
- When bladder is punctured, urine will rapidly fill the syringe
What sites can be used to draw peripheral blood? - ANS Subclavian
Femoral
3 @COPYRIGHT THESTAR 2025/2026
