Download ABMDI Board Certification Questions and Answers: Forensic Science and more Exams Forensics in PDF only on Docsity!
ABMDI BOARD CERTIFICATION QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
(100% CORRECT ANSWERS) /ALREADY GRADED A+
"Scopalamine - CORRECT ANSWER Belladonna Alkaloid.
Derived from jimsonweed and henbane. Used as a preanesthetic, treatment of Parkinsonism, gastrointestinal disorders, and prevention of motion sickness Toxic effects: Blurred vision, dryness of throat, dilated pupils, somnolence, mydriasis, skin flushing, hallucinations, and confusion"
"Benzodiazepines - CORRECT ANSWER Belladonna Alkaloid.
Used as anxiolytics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and as preoperative sedatives Common benzos: alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam, and diazepam Extensive hepatic metabolism"
"Adult flies caught at the scene need to be properly stored to send to the lab. This involves: -
CORRECT ANSWER Placing the flies in a glass vial containing 70% isopropyl alcohol"
"Forensic scientists may use forensic entomology for all the following EXCEPT: a. Estimate the duration of the postmortem range (PMI) b. Detect drugs of abuse in maggot infested bodies c. Detect the location of the body at the time of death d. Collect DNA material left on the corpse in cases of sexual assault
e. Detect volatile hydrocarbons in fire death - CORRECT ANSWER e. Detect volatile
hydrocarbons in fire death" "In scenes illuminated by bright sunlight, there will usually be dark shadow areas. Detail in the deep shadow areas will be lost when the exposure is based on the overall brightness of the scene. The brightness level in the shadow areas can be raised to the overall brightness of the scene by using: a. An alternate light source b. Ultraviolet fluorescence c. Flash-fill photography d. An increased F-stop
e. A restricted aperture - CORRECT ANSWER c. Flash-fill photography"
"Using an alternate light source, you can identify stains that may contain samples of: a. Serum b. Semen
c. Saliva d. Urine
e. All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER e. All of the above"
"When submitting tool mark evidence for examination, you should always: a. Place the tool against the tool marked evidence b. Make test cuts or impressions rather than submit the tool c. Submit a cast of the tool mark d. Refrain from collecting samples of any material deposited on the tools
e. All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER c. Submit a cast of the tool mark"
"With regards to investigating a scene where firearms were used, which ONE of the following statements is FALSE?: a. Bullet holes through doors can produce atypical entrance wounds b. The presence of spent cartridges at the scene suggests a semi-automatic assault rifle c. Fragments from intermediate targets can cause pseudo-stippling d. A spent cartridge at the scene is most suggestive of a revolver-type handgun
e. Spent cartridges recovered at the scene can be analyzed by firearm experts - CORRECT
ANSWER d. A spent cartridge at the scene is most suggestive of a revolver-type handgun"
"Which of the following is NOT a bullet fired by a handgun? a. Semi-jacketed hollow point b. Wad cutter c. Buckshot d. Full metal jacket
e. Lead round nose - CORRECT ANSWER c. Buckshot"
"Documenting items collected during an investigation helps in: a. Protecting the chain of custody b. Training new investigators with hands-on experience c. Allowing a walk-through of the scene to go more smoothly d. Keeping the investigator busy with the scene, not allowing distraction
e. Making collection of evidence easier during Miranda - CORRECT ANSWER a. Protecting the
chain of custody" "You arrive at the scene and discover a body in advanced decomposition. Circumstantial evidence obtained from the apartment manager suggests that the victim is middle-aged, has no criminal record, is edentulous, and had a history of debilitating headaches. The body is severely
e. Federal regulations define the responsibility of the coroner/medical examiner in investigating
any death occurring while the person is at work - CORRECT ANSWER a. Cause-and-effect
analysis of injuries and possible workplace safety issues are a primary concern" "One of three roommates reports discovering the body of the second roommate in the apartment the three shares. The third roommate is absent. The decedent is observed on the floor with a pool of blood surrounding his head and a bloody baseball bat beside his body. The law enforcement agency's investigation would be best served if they: a. Obtain permission to search the apartment from the roommate who discovered the body b. Obtain permission to search the apartment from both living roommates c. Obtain a search warrant before entering the apartment d. Enter the apartment and conduct a thorough crime scene search
e. Enter the apartment in search of weapons that may be a threat to responding officers -
CORRECT ANSWER c. Obtain a search warrant before entering the apartment"
"Courtroom etiquette requires ALL of the following EXCEPT which ONE?: a. Wear conservative attire b. Do not volunteer information c. Answer questions clearly and firmly d. Answer all questions honestly
e. Decline to respond to the defense attorney - CORRECT ANSWER e. Decline to respond to
the defense attorney" "You arrive for your scheduled work shift and find that your co-worker from the previous shift has cases pending and no investigative action has been taken on them. You: a. Begin investigations on those cases that have been reported from the start of your shift, leaving the previous ones to your co-worker b. See which cases need investigative work and immediately begin to help by picking up the previously reported cases and starting the investigative process c. Assist by answering the phones and reporting any findings to the investigator previously on duty because he was responsible for the cases on his shift d. Empathize with your co-worker's heavy unfinished case load, but realize that your cases are your primary responsibility e. See which cases need investigative work or follow-up and report your co-worker's
inadequacies to the supervisor - CORRECT ANSWER e. See which cases need investigative
work or follow-up and report your co-worker's inadequacies to the supervisor" "Death investigators have a responsibility to the public and their co-workers. This impact can be positive if the death investigator: a. Behaves in a manner appropriate to the situation
b. Assists junior members with learning skills c. Dresses in a professional manner d. Follows the policies and procedures of the agency
e. All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER e. All of the above"
"A new investigator comes to you with questions regarding a case he is investigating. In what manner should you assist this person with his questions: a. Advise the investigator to go to the library b. Answer the investigator's questions and provide references and resources c. Advise the investigator to check the chapter on this subject in the textbook that he got when he went to school d. Advise the investigator to check with other staff members
e. Advise the investigator to discuss the case with a forensic pathologist - CORRECT ANSWER
b. Answer the investigator's questions and provide references and resources" "A nursing home resident was found unresponsive in her wheelchair while wearing a vest restraint. Following resuscitation attempts, examination of the body revealed conjunctival petechiae and a linear pressure mark on the neck. The initial task that should be done at the nursing home is: a. Order the complete medical record from the last hospitalization b. File an abuse report with the appropriate agency c. Have the nurse who found the decedent demonstrate the exact position in which the decedent and vest were found d. Allow the body to be released for arterial embalming before autopsy
e. Seize all of the patient's belongings and medications pending the investigation - CORRECT
ANSWER c. Have the nurse who found the decedent demonstrate the exact position in which
the decedent and vest were found" "Hospital records should include at a minimum: a. Demographics - admission - operative records - nursing records b. Physician orders - next-of-kin information - demographics - nursing records c. Demographics - nursing records - next-of-kin information - history and physical examination d. History and physical examination - nursing records - dental charts - diagnostic lab reports
e. Operative records - medication records - demographics - mental health records - CORRECT
ANSWER c. Demographics - nursing records - next-of-kin information - history and physical
examination"
"A gunshot victim is found lying on his back with his left arm bent at the elbow and pointing up in the air without support. Dried blood trails from the nose to the left ear. You determine: a. The victim was left-handed b. The body of the victim was in a different position, probably on his left side, for some time before being rolled onto his back c. The body of the victim was in a different position, probably on his right side, for some time before being rolled onto his back d. The victim is trying to leave a message that his attacker was left-handed e. The victim died where he lay, but some object, which has since been removed, had been
propping up his left arm - CORRECT ANSWER b. The body of the victim was in a different
position, probably on his left side, for some time before being rolled onto his back" "Radiopaque fragments from a bombing victim: a. Should only be recovered under the direct supervision of the ATF b. Should be placed in a lead container and turned over to FEMA for analysis c. Should be identified by full body X-ray and then removed, photographed, and placed in a labeled evidence container which is catalogued in a chain of custody document d. Are ideally found using CT scans or MRI scans
e. Are rarely of evidentiary value - CORRECT ANSWER c. Should be identified by full body X-ray
and then removed, photographed, and placed in a labeled evidence container which is catalogued in a chain of custody document" "Which ONE of the following drugs would most likely predispose an individual to the effects of environmental hypothermia?: a. Cocaine b. Psychotropic medications c. Digoxin d. Tricyclic antidepressants
e. Acetaminophen - CORRECT ANSWER b. Psychotropic medications"
"Certain sites in the community are considered "high-risk" locations because of their vulnerability and the likelihood that large numbers of deaths may result from a natural disaster. These sites would include all EXCEPT which of the following: a. Trailer parks b. Residential neighborhoods in flood plains c. A transit bus garage d. Urban centers located on earthquake fault lines
e. Suburban and rural areas without adequate fire protection - CORRECT ANSWER c. A transit
bus garage" "A traffic-crash victim dies in the hospital three days after the crash. He was the driver at fault. You know that toxicology testing on specimens collected at autopsy will not represent substances that may have been present at the time of the crash. What needs to be done next?: a. Contact the hospital lab and make arrangements to obtain all remaining specimens that were collected in the Emergency Department after the crash b. Ask the investigating law enforcement officer to get the specimens for you c. The hospital performed a urine drug screen on admission. No other tests need to be done d. You do not need this information, so you do not need to get the specimens
e. Ask the family to get the specimens for you. - CORRECT ANSWER a. Contact the hospital lab
and make arrangements to obtain all remaining specimens that were collected in the Emergency Department after the crash" "Laboratory analysis of blood and body fluids can reveal important information in the investigation of deaths that are due to therapeutic complications. The best way to ensure that laboratory testing reveals the actual conditions at the time of death is to: a. Rely on the postmortem samples drawn at autopsy b. Secure hospital laboratory test results in lieu of sample c. Immediately secure all antemortem blood and body fluid samples from the hospital d. Have the hospital run additional tests on the antemortem samples
e. None of the above - CORRECT ANSWER c. Immediately secure all antemortem blood and
body fluid samples from the hospital" "Following a one-week hospitalization, a patient is reported to have died as a complication of burns to 90% of his body. When the body arrives at the morgue, there are vertical, incised wounds over both upper and lower extremities in areas of third-degree burns. These most likely represent: a. Unrecognized sharp-force trauma, indicating an assault b. A thermal artifact termed "skin splits" c. Escharotomy incisions to preserve blood flow d. Blunt trauma due to debris at the scene
e. Evidence of disseminated infection following the burn - CORRECT ANSWER c. Escharotomy
incisions to preserve blood flow" "A body is found in the hallway in a house fire. There is extensive fire damage to the living room, which contains the remains of burned upholstered furniture, as well as a television, stereo, and
"Death due to seizures 48 hours after incarceration would most likely be due to: a. Food allergy b. Beaten during arrest c. Brain tumor d. Alcohol withdrawal
e. Infection. - CORRECT ANSWER d. Alcohol withdrawal"
"An overdose of which ONE of the following drugs most frequently results in hyperthermia: a. Barbiturates b. Heroin c. Marijuana d. Valium (Diazepam)
e. Cocaine - CORRECT ANSWER e. Cocaine"
"The four primary classifications of asphyxial deaths: - CORRECT ANSWER Mechanical, inert-
gas, environmental, and pathological" "A gas which has no toxic or anesthetic properties and does not act upon the heart or hemoglobin. Instead, the gas acts simply to reduce oxygen concentration in blood to dangerously
low levels, thereby eventually depriving all cells in the body of oxygen: - CORRECT ANSWER
Argon Halon Helium Nitrogen Methane Inert gas" "Due to insufficient oxygen in the environment. Deaths are almost always accidental. An oxygen concentration of 16% or less is dangerous, and with 5% concentration, consciousness is lost
rapidly and death occurs within a few minutes: - CORRECT ANSWER Environmental Asphyxia:
Confined Space PositionalCompression Entrapment or Engulfment" "Dealing with or attributable a disease or medical condition. These asphyxial deaths are caused
from such things as anaphylaxis, pulmonary edema, and COPD: - CORRECT ANSWER
Pathological Asphyxia"
"Mechanical Asphyxial Death - CORRECT ANSWER Hanging (suspension)
Ligature strangulation Manual strangulation Smothering Gagging Choking Drowning"
"Weight needed to occlude blood flow: - CORRECT ANSWER Jugular veins - 4.5 lbs
Carotid arteries - 11 lbs Trachea - 33 lbs Vertebral arteries - 66 lbs"
“Barbituates - CORRECT ANSWER Four main categories:
- Ultra-short-acting - used to induce surgical anesthesia
- Short-acting
- Intermediate-acting - used as sedative-hypnotics
- Long-acting"
"Butalbital - CORRECT ANSWER Barbituate. Used in treatment of migraines"
"Phenobarbital - CORRECT ANSWER Barbituate. Used as anticonvulsant"
"Pentobarbital - CORRECT ANSWER Barbituate. Used to relieve intracranial pressure
following trauma"
"Atropine - CORRECT ANSWER Belladonna Alkaloid.
Derived from certain plants including jimsonweed and deadly nightshade. Used as a preanesthetic therapy to control airway secretions and as a antispasmodic to control gastrointestinal spasms. Used as an antidote in the treatment of poisoning by cholinesterase inhibitors. Also used in resuscitative attempts Toxic effects: mydriasis, hot dry reddened skin, delirium, and hallucinations" "Which of the following methods is the LEAST sensitive chromatographic technique: a. High-pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC) b. Liquid chromatography/Mass spectrometry c. Thin-layer chromatography d. Gas chromatography/Mass spectrometry
e. Gas chromatography - CORRECT ANSWER c. Thin-layer chromatography"
e. To get clearance from law enforcement before participating in the interview - CORRECT
ANSWER c. That participating in this type of interview rarely serves to accomplish any
investigative objectives, and should be declined" "Many times, family members will not accept a ruling of suicide as a manner of death for reasons of: a. Embarrassment b. Insurance issues c. Their unwillingness to believe the decedent would commit suicide d. Having a separate agenda that is not met by the medical examiner/coroner's finding
e. All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER e. All of the above"
"The accepted "standard of proof" the forensic pathologist reaches when testifying in criminal court is which ONE of the following?: a. More likely than not b. Preponderance of the evidence c. Clear and convincing d. Reasonable medical certainty
e. Beyond a reasonable doubt - CORRECT ANSWER d. Reasonable medical certainty"
"Professionalism in death investigation includes ALL of the following EXCEPT which ONE?: a. Wearing clean and neat clothing b. Returning the decedent's valuables to the family c. Getting a conviction in the courtroom d. Using appropriate language
e. Maintaining the dignity of the decedent - CORRECT ANSWER c. Getting a conviction in the
courtroom" "One way for a supervisor to get personnel to meet agency goals is to: a. Encourage personnel to participate in planning how to reach those goals and see that they receive credit for their ideas b. Make sure the goals are not too far reaching and posted on the wall of the lounge or place where all employees have access c. Refer them to human resources for advice d. Assign the most important cases/projects to your best investigator
e. Set forth specific directions for each worker and require that they be followed - CORRECT
ANSWER a. Encourage personnel to participate in planning how to reach those goals and see
that they receive credit for their ideas" "A supervisor must allow his employees to undertake difficult investigations in order to grow in experience and confidence. The supervisor does this by:
a. Allowing employees to fail and then criticizing them in front of others b. Rarely tackling difficult investigations on his own but delegating them to subordinates c. Allowing employees to successfully complete investigations and then taking the credit d. Being available to offer advice to employees, as needed e. Not criticizing employees for any mistakes, but pointing out employees' mistakes to their peers
so that they will not make the same mistake - CORRECT ANSWER d. Being available to offer
advice to employees, as needed" "A nursing home's use of physical restraints on patients must be: a. Ordered by a treating physician b. Ordered by the nurses' aide who cares for the patient on a daily basis c. Ordered by the family d. Approved by the Department of Health
e. Any of the above can order restraints on "admitted" patients - CORRECT ANSWER a.
Ordered by a treating physician" "You are investigating a suspicious death in a nursing home, and you need to find out whether the home is licensed. You should: a. Ask a friend in the local police department to find out for you b. Call the nursing home and ask the administrator whether the facility is licensed c. Check with the local Office of Consumer Affairs d. Call the Better Business Bureau
e. Contact the appropriate state agency - CORRECT ANSWER e. Contact the appropriate state
agency" "Mutual trust deteriorates when administrators engage in nonsensical conversations with the media. In a police officer involved shooting incident, the spokesperson should: a. Refuse to meet with the media representatives until all the facts are known b. Make the statement "no comment" when asked about the case by media representatives c. Provide all information known at the time d. Make an honest statement that the matter is under investigation with the promise that a detailed report will follow as soon as possible
e. Refer all media representatives to the District Attorney - CORRECT ANSWER d. Make an
honest statement that the matter is under investigation with the promise that a detailed report will follow as soon as possible" "A 20-year-old college student has a history of an acute febrile illness with headache leading to sudden death. A skin rash is noted. Although no cause of death can be ruled out, the most likely explanation for this death would be: a. Lyme disease b. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy c. Meningococcal meningitis
c. In a tube containing ethanol d. By picking it up with adhesive tape
e. None of the above - CORRECT ANSWER a. In a clean, dry container"
"A man is found dead in a basement, partly suspended by a rope that extends around his neck and over a wood beam. Examination of the beam shows multiple grooves near the location of the rope, suggesting: a. The decedent tested the rope several times before committing suicide b. A struggle during a homicidal hanging c. Possible previous autoerotic activities d. Ritualistic murder
e. A struggle during an attempt to abort the suicide - CORRECT ANSWER c. Possible previous
autoerotic activities" "In a ligature hanging case, the best way to lower the suspended body is by: a. Untying only the knot at the neck level, leaving the rest of the ligature intact for measurement b. Untying only the knot at the point of suspension, leaving the rest of the ligature intact c. Cutting the ligature at its midpoint, so as to preserve the portions around the neck and at the point of suspension d. Cutting the ligature near the point of suspension, if necessary, at a site away from any knots, leaving all knots and the rest of the ligature intact e. Loosening all knots, so that no cutting is done, allowing the body to be removed from the scene
and the ligature kept intact - CORRECT ANSWER d. Cutting the ligature near the point of
suspension, if necessary, at a site away from any knots, leaving all knots and the rest of the ligature intact" "Restraining devices and safety equipment of a vehicle involved in a crash should be documented because: a. They can be removed from the crash vehicle and reinstalled in another automobile b. Documentation of safety equipment in a vehicle involved in a crash is required by state law c. Failure of occupants to use vehicle safety devices, or the malfunction of the devices may determine how injuries occurred d. Seat belts and air bags are a potential hazard and should be outlawed e. Investigators should keep a record of safety equipment as well as vehicle make and model to
establish a data base of unsafe vehicles - CORRECT ANSWER c. Failure of occupants to use
vehicle safety devices, or the malfunction of the devices may determine how injuries occurred"
