ABFM Death Investigation & Scene Analysis 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary forensic value of documenting rigor mortis at a death scene?
- To determine the cause of death
- To estimate the postmortem interval (Correct answer)
- To identify the victim
- To establish manner of death
Correct answer: To estimate the postmortem interval
Rigor mortis follows a predictable timeline of onset, peak, and resolution, making it a key tool for estimating how long ago death occurred.
Question 2: Which postmortem change refers to the purplish-red discoloration of skin caused by gravitational pooling of blood in dependent areas?
- Rigor mortis
- Algor mortis
- Livor mortis (Correct answer)
- Putrefaction
Correct answer: Livor mortis
Livor mortis (lividity) is the purplish-red discoloration resulting from blood pooling in the lowest body areas after cardiac activity ceases.
Question 3: Algor mortis refers to which postmortem phenomenon?
- Skin discoloration from blood pooling
- Muscle stiffening after death
- Cooling of the body after death (Correct answer)
- Bacterial decomposition of soft tissue
Correct answer: Cooling of the body after death
Algor mortis describes the postmortem cooling of the body, which occurs at approximately 1–1.5°C per hour under normal indoor conditions.
Question 4: Under standard indoor conditions, approximately how much does core body temperature drop per hour after death?
- 0.5°C
- 1–1.5°C (Correct answer)
- 3°C
- 5°C
Correct answer: 1–1.5°C
Under standard conditions (ambient temperature ~20°C), core body temperature drops approximately 1–1.5°C per hour, though clothing, body mass, and environment alter this rate.
Question 5: Fixed livor mortis that is inconsistent with a body's current position most likely indicates:
- Death occurred within the past 2 hours
- The body was moved after lividity became fixed (Correct answer)
- The victim died from asphyxia
- The ambient temperature was extremely cold
Correct answer: The body was moved after lividity became fixed
Once lividity fixes (typically 6–12 hours post-death), it will not shift with repositioning; a mismatch between lividity pattern and body position suggests postmortem movement.
Question 6: Which of the following best defines 'manner of death' in forensic investigations?
- The specific organ or system that failed at the moment of death
- The circumstances under which the cause of death arose (natural, accident, homicide, suicide, or undetermined) (Correct answer)
- The time elapsed between injury and death
- The medical condition that initiated the fatal chain of events
Correct answer: The circumstances under which the cause of death arose (natural, accident, homicide, suicide, or undetermined)
Manner of death classifies death into five categories—natural, accident, homicide, suicide, or undetermined—reflecting the circumstances rather than the medical cause.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of maintaining chain of custody during a death investigation?
- To expedite the autopsy process
- To preserve evidence integrity and ensure admissibility in court (Correct answer)
- To notify next of kin as quickly as possible
- To determine life insurance eligibility
Correct answer: To preserve evidence integrity and ensure admissibility in court
Chain of custody documents every person who handles evidence, preserving its integrity and ensuring it is credible and legally admissible in judicial proceedings.
