QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Official pronouncement of death can:
a. Be accomplished only by a physician
b. Be accomplished by any medical professional
c. Be accomplished by any responsible party
d. Be accomplished by on-duty police officers
e. Be determined by state statute and local customs - ANS E
Authorization to conduct a medicolegal autopsy must be provided by:
a. The decedent's next-of-kin
b. The coroner or medical examiner when jurisdiction is established
c. A will or other document signed before death
d. The treating physician
e. All of the above - ANS B
A previously healthy four-month-old infant is found unresponsive in his crib at home. He is
rushed to a hospital, where he 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
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, e. Significant trauma will always be apparent on the surface of the body - ANS B
Your office is investigating a suspected SIDS death. You should notify your statewide SIDS
program within:
a. As soon as possible following the autopsy
b. Within 24 hours of the death
c. Within 48 hours of the death
d. Within 72 hours of the death
e. Within one week of the death - ANS A
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
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. The decedent's legal next-of-kin or representative has given consent
e. No legal next-of-kin can be located - ANS D
The death investigator and a police officer arrive at the scene within minutes of each other:
a. The police officer is in charge and directs the work
b. The death investigator is in charge and directs the work
c. The best approach is a "team" approach to performing the work
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