Question 1

Forensics refers to the application of various fields of science and medicine in the resolution of legal proceedings and is derived from the word ___________.

Accepted Answer

The word "forensics" is derived from the Latin word "forum" which means a public place where legal matters are discussed and decided. Therefore, the correct answer is D) Forum.

Question 2

In 1954, the United States passed the __________ which outlined general classes of deaths that need to be further investigated and certified by a government body rather than a hospital pathologist or treating physician.

Accepted Answer

The Model Post-Mortem Examination Act of 1954 outlines classes of deaths that require investigation and certification by a government body, such as sudden or unexpected deaths, deaths in custody, and deaths related to occupational hazards.

Question 3

The local ________ department is the governing body that filters all death certificates to the National Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Accepted Answer

The Health department is the most appropriate choice since they are responsible for vital statistics, including death certificates. The Police and Fire department are not typically responsible for this type of record-keeping, and the Magistrate may not have any involvement in the process.

Question 4

The first medical examiner's office was established in ___________ in 1918 and was the first government division of its kind in the United States.

Accepted Answer

The first medical examiner's office was established in New York, New York in 1918 and was the first government division of its kind in the United States.

Question 5

______________ developed the "exchange principle" which states that whenever two items come into contact, they exchange material between them.

Accepted Answer

The exchange principle was developed by Edmond Locard, a pioneer in the field of forensic science. He theorized that whenever two items come into contact, there is an exchange of material between them, whether it is visible or not. This principle is a fundamental concept in forensic science and is used to link suspects, victims, and crime scenes through the transfer of evidence.

Question 6

The ___________maintains a list of the medical examiner and coroner jurisdictions within the United States.

Accepted Answer

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) maintains a list of the medical examiner and coroner jurisdictions within the United States in order to collect accurate and complete data regarding causes of death. The other options listed do not have a specific responsibility for maintaining such a list.

Question 7

______________ is the study of physical characteristics of an individual that make them unique. It involves recording measurements of various body regions such as forearms, trunk, ears, etc.

Accepted Answer

Anthropometry is the study of physical characteristics of an individual that make them unique, focusing on measuring various body regions such as forearms, trunk, ears, etc. This can be useful in fields such as medicine, sports, and forensics. Anthropology is the broader study of human societies, cultures, and their development, whereas archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory through material remains. Arachnid refers to a class of joint-legged invertebrate animals, such as spiders and scorpions.

Question 8

The Center for Disease Control maintains a list of the medical examiner and coroner jurisdictions within the United States.

Accepted Answer

The CDC maintains a list of medical examiner and coroner jurisdictions within the United States.

Question 9

Edmond Locard's exchange principle states that whenever two items come into contact, they exchange material between them.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. Edmond Locard's exchange principle is a fundamental concept in forensic science, which states that whenever two items come into contact, they will exchange material between them. This concept is used by forensic scientists to link a suspect to a crime scene or to identify traces left by a perpetrator.

Question 10

Calvin Goddard established the first American crime laboratory in Los Angeles in 1923.

Accepted Answer

Calvin Goddard established the first American crime laboratory in Chicago in 1929.

Question 11

Coroners are elected officials and in most jurisdictions the only credentials required for being placed on the ballot are a high school diploma and a voter registration.

Accepted Answer

Coroners are typically elected officials and, in many jurisdictions, there are no specific qualifications required to run for the position. In some states, coroners may be required to have specific medical, legal, or law enforcement qualifications, but this varies widely.

Question 12

The history of the term coroner originates from the term "crowding" a tax collector for the dead and originated in England.

Accepted Answer

The term "coroner" actually comes from the Latin word "coronator," which means "crown bearer" or "one who crowns." This is because in medieval England, coroners were responsible for investigating deaths that might require an inquest, which was a formal legal procedure that involved the coroner preparing a report on the cause of death to be presented to the crown. The role of the coroner evolved over time and is now mostly responsible for determining cause of death and identifying bodies.

Question 13

Medical examiners do not have to be physicians.

Accepted Answer

Medical examiners are typically required to be physicians, often with specialized training in forensic pathology, to perform autopsies and determine causes of death.

Question 14

Forensic pathology has been recognized by the American Board of Pathology as a subspecialty since 1959.

Accepted Answer

Forensic pathology has been recognized by the American Board of Pathology as a subspecialty since 1959.

Question 15

ABMDI was established in 2005 as an organization to insure basic skills and knowledge as a death investigator.

Accepted Answer

ABMDI stands for American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators and was established in 2005 to ensure basic skills and knowledge as a death investigator.

Question 16

NAME is a national professional organization that was established in 1966 and is open only to forensic pathologists.

Accepted Answer

NAME stands for the National Association of Medical Examiners, and while it primarily serves forensic pathologists, it is also open to other professionals involved in death investigation, not exclusively forensic pathologists.

Question 17

Physicians undergo a general licensure examination process called the United States Medical License Exam.

Accepted Answer

Physicians must pass the USMLE in order to obtain a medical license to practice in the United States.

Quiz 1: History of Death Investigation

Forensics refers to the application of various fields of science and medicine in the resolution of legal proceedings and is derived from the word ___________.

In 1954, the United States passed the __________ which outlined general classes of deaths that need to be further investigated and certified by a government body rather than a hospital pathologist or treating physician.

The local ________ department is the governing body that filters all death certificates to the National Bureau of Vital Statistics.

The first medical examiner's office was established in ___________ in 1918 and was the first government division of its kind in the United States.

______________ developed the "exchange principle" which states that whenever two items come into contact, they exchange material between them.

The ___________maintains a list of the medical examiner and coroner jurisdictions within the United States.

______________ is the study of physical characteristics of an individual that make them unique. It involves recording measurements of various body regions such as forearms, trunk, ears, etc.

The Center for Disease Control maintains a list of the medical examiner and coroner jurisdictions within the United States.

Edmond Locard's exchange principle states that whenever two items come into contact, they exchange material between them.

Calvin Goddard established the first American crime laboratory in Los Angeles in 1923.

Coroners are elected officials and in most jurisdictions the only credentials required for being placed on the ballot are a high school diploma and a voter registration.

The history of the term coroner originates from the term "crowding" a tax collector for the dead and originated in England.

Medical examiners do not have to be physicians.

Forensic pathology has been recognized by the American Board of Pathology as a subspecialty since 1959.

ABMDI was established in 2005 as an organization to insure basic skills and knowledge as a death investigator.

NAME is a national professional organization that was established in 1966 and is open only to forensic pathologists.

Physicians undergo a general licensure examination process called the United States Medical License Exam.