Chapter 5 Quiz
Adipocere typically takes about ________ weeks to develop. A. 12 B. 8 C. 4 D. 2
A. 12
Lividity can be expected to be fixed after ________ hours. A. 16 B. 2 C. 24 D. 4
A. 16
A corpse was discovered in an apartment last November. It was that of a 50-year-old male who died of a heart attack. At the time of discovery, the body temperature was determined to be 89degrees°F. What is the most probable postmortem interval? A. 7 hours B. 4 hours C. 2 hours D. 1 hour
A. 7 hours
Pulmonary edema is frequently found in victims that chronically abuse: A. Amphetamines. B. Marijuana. C. Heroin. D. Alcohol.
A. Amphitamines
Insect evidence should be collected: A. At the scene by a forensic entomologist or trained investigator. B. During the autopsy by the medical examiner. C. Upon the finding of the decedent by the first responding officer. D. At the crime laboratory by forensic analysts.
A. At the scene by a forensic entomologist or trained investigator
Death at a fire scene is most often attributed to: A. Carbon monoxide. B. Carbon dioxide. C. Nitrogen. D. Hydrogen.
A. Carbon monoxide
What part of the victim's body is often bagged in order to prevent loss of trace evidence? A. Hands B. Head C. Feet D. No part of the body is bagged.
A. Hands
As the postmortem interval increases, the concentration of potassium in the vitreous humor of the eye: A. Increases. B. Decreases. C. Remains the same. D. Either B or C
A. Increases
Toxicological specimens are taken at which stage of the death investigation? A. Internal examination B. External examination C. Anytime D. Death scene
A. Internal examination
Homicide, suicide, accident, natural, and undetermined are all categories of: A. Manner of death. B. Cause of death. C. Method of death. D. Mechanism of death.
A. Manner of Death
Partially digested or dissolved pills can be seen in the: A. Stomach. B. Small intestine. C. Large intestine. D. Esophagus.
A. Stomach
The largest percentage of accidental deaths is due to: A. Transportation accidents. B. Drug overdoses. C. Fire. D. Drowning.
A. Transportation accidents
A pathologist would expect rigor mortis to disappear after ________ hours. A. 12 B. 36 C. 24 D. 48
B. 36
If a cause of death cannot be found through simple observation of the victim, a(n) ________ is typically carried out. A. Drug screening B. Autopsy C. Crime scene investigation D. Anthropological profile
B. Autopsy
A forensic anthropologist may help to create a(n) ________ to help with the identification of the victim. A. Fingerprint chart B. Facial reconstruction C. Autopsy chart D. Dental profile
B. Facial reconstruction
Defense wounds are most typically seen on the: A. Shins. B. Hands. C. Face. D. Back.
B. Hands
What must a medical examiner possess? A. Elected position B. Medical degree C. Board certification D. Both B and C
B. Medical degree
Time of death can be approximated by analyzing the vitreous humor and the levels of: A. Magnesium. B. Potassium. C. Sodium. D. Calcium.
B. Potassium
Which should be performed first at a death scene? A. Photographs B. Secure the scene C. Sketch D. Collect evidence
B. Secure the scene
Death intentionally caused by another person is typically ruled: A. Natural. B. An accident. C. A homicide. D. A suicide.
C. A homicide
According to forensic entomologists, which "witness" is the first to arrive at the crime scene? A. Mite B. Carrion beetle C. Blow fly D. Spider
C. Blow fly
Hanging cases will typically display: A. Fracture of the thyroid cartilage. B. An abundance of large petechiae on the eyelids. C. Blue appearance of the face. D. Fracture of the hyoid bone.
C. Blue appearance of the face
What part of a decedent's body resists rapid decomposition and is used by forensic anthropologists to provide information about the decedent? A. Cartilage B. Soft tissue C. Bones D. Teeth
C. Bones
Evidence of tampering with the position of a body after death can be obtained by evaluating the: A. Rigor mortis. B. Algor mortis. C. Livor mortis. D. Both B and C
C. Livor mortis
The death of an individual suffering from chronic alcoholism is ruled: A. Accidental. B. Undetermined. C. Natural. D. Suicide.
C. Natural
Negative photographs are: A. Photographs of injured parts of the body. B. Photographs that did not develop properly. C. Photographs of uninjured parts of the body. D. Photographs that have not yet been developed.
C. Photographs of uninjured parts of the body
Which is commonly fractured in strangulation cases? A. Hyoid bone B. Thymus cartilage C. Thyroid cartilage D. Nothing is typically fractured in strangulation cases.
C. Thyroid cartilage
The types of autopsies include all of the following EXCEPT: A. External. B. Criminal. C. Clinical. D. Medicolegal.
Criminal
Beginning an hour after death, the body will lose heat at an approximate rate of: A. 0-0.5degrees°F per hour. B. 0.5-1degrees°F per hour. C. 1.5-2degrees°F per hour. D. 1-1.5degrees°F per hour
D. 1-1.5 F per hour
The stage of fusion of various bones within a skeleton can be used to estimate the ________ of the decedent. A. Sex B. Race C. Occupation D. Age
D. Age
The collection of evidence from a "tomb" site by a forensic anthropologist must include: A. A thorough documentation of the site and all evidence B. A careful recovery of all visible remains C. A search of the surrounding area for related evidence D. All of the above
D. All of the Above
Which of the following techniques can be used to estimate the time of death? A. Rigor mortis B. Livor mortis C. Eye fluid potassium levels D. All of the above
D. All of the Above
Estimations of the postmortem interval (PMI) using entomological evidence must take into account: A. Weather conditions. B. The location's climate over time. C. The geographical location of the decedent's body. D. All of the above
D. All of the above
Which can be used in making an identification of a deceased individual? A. Fingerprinting B. Dental examination C. Facial reconstruction D. All of the above
D. All of the above
Which factors can help to determine if a victim was alive during a fire? A. Soot B. Extent of burns on the body C. Levels of carbon monoxide in the body D. Both A and C
D. Both A and C
Characteristic markings on the skin caused from the discharge of a firearm are known as: A. Staining. B. Tattooing. C. Stippling. D. Both B and C
D. Both B and C
A body that displays a cherry-red discoloration might lead a pathologist to suspect poisoning by: A. Pesticides. B. Cyanic acid. C. Arsenic. D. Carbon monoxide
D. Carbon monoxide
To determine the gender of skeletal remains, a forensic anthropologist can examine all of the following areas of the skeleton EXCEPT the: A. Sacrum. B. Pelvis. C. Femur. D. Cranium.
D. Cranium
Putrefaction and autolysis are two types of ________ processes. A. Algor mortis B. Livor mortis C. Rigor mortis D. Decomposition
D. Decomposition
Which is NOT a manner of death? A. Suicide B. Homicide C. Natural D. Drowning
D. Drowning
The rate of cooling of a dead body can be influenced by all BUT the: A. Size of body. B. Location. C. Weather conditions. D. Gender of victim.
D. Gender of victim
The best place to take a blood sample in order to avoid contamination is the: A. Heart. B. Superior vena cava. C. Femoral vein. D. Inferior vena cava.
D. Inferior vena cava
Common drugs tested for during a death investigation do NOT include: A. Morphine/Heroin. B. Cocaine. C. Alcohol. D. LSD.
D. LSD
What does hemoglobin transport in the blood? A. Carbon monoxide B. Carbon dioxide C. Hydrogen D. Oxygen
D. Oxygen
Rigor mortis refers to the: A. Color of death. B. Time of death. C. Temperature of death. D. Stiffness of death.
D. Stiffness of death
A pathologist must examine a body's wounds to determine if the death was a homicide and if the assailant had intent to kill. True False
False
After death, the body does not cool at a predictable rate. True False
False
Autolysis is carried out by microorganisms such as bacteria. True False
False
Carbon monoxide levels continue to rise in the body even after death. True False
False
Chronic drug use is typically considered suicide by the medical examiner. True False
False
Decomposition typically occurs on the face before the abdomen. True False
False
For gunshot victims, the cause of death can be listed as a gunshot wound. True False
False
General testing for poisons is a routine procedure carried out by the pathologist. True False
False
High levels of carbon monoxide are needed to cause a victim to become disoriented. True False
False
Rigor mortis occurs within 12 hours of death and disappears within 24 hours. True False
False
The age of a skeleton can be determined by various factors, including the shape of the pelvis and sacrum, the size of the cranium, and the protrusion of the brow bone and mastoid process. True False
False
The concentration of sodium in the eye fluids can help determine time of death. True False
False
The external examination involves classifying the injuries and examining the organs. True False
False
The known sequence of arrival of different insect groups cannot help to determine the postmortem interval. True False
False
The pathologist typically does not perform a drug analysis unless a drug overdose is suspected. True False
False
The two types of autopsies are a clinical autopsy and a hospital autopsy. True False
False
A sharp force injury will most likely come from a: A. Hammer. B. Baseball bat. C. Cinder block. D. Glass piece.
Glass piece
A body decomposing on a summer day will typically show increased progression of rigor mortis. True False
True
Another name for a bruise is a contusion. True False
True
Forensic entomology is often used to help estimate the time of death. True False
True
It is best to collect blood at distant areas of the body to obtain the most accurate drug levels. True False
True
It is not feasible for a medical examiner to respond in-person to every death scene. True False
True
Livor mortis occurs when blood settles in parts of the body closest to the ground. True False
True
Photographs should be taken both of areas with injuries and areas without injuries. True False
True
Skeletal bones are resistant to rapid decomposition. True False
True
The forensic pathologist is also aided by the skills of specialists including forensic anthropologists, forensic entomologists, and forensic odontologists. True False
True
The onset of livor mortis begins immediately after death. True False
True
The postmortem interval can be affected by various environmental conditions. True False
True
The primary role of the medical examiner is to determine the cause and manner of death. True False
True
X-rays are most commonly performed in gunshot wound cases and stab wound cases. True False
True