Forensic Science Quiz for Medicolegal Investigators

1. In general which of the following are not normally considered for organ/tissue procurement purposes?

Liver and kidney

Reproductive organs

Long bones and pelvis

Heart valves

Reproductive organs are usually not considered for organ/tissue procurement purposes due to ethical and legal concerns. The other options are commonly procured for such purposes based on medical advancements and the increasing need for organ donation.

Explanation

Reproductive organs are usually not considered for organ/tissue procurement purposes due to ethical and legal concerns. The other options are commonly procured for such purposes based on medical advancements and the increasing need for organ donation.

2. Who has primary responsibility for determining cause and manner of death in Minnesota?

Law enforcement officer

Attending nurse

Coroner or medical examiner

County attorney

In Minnesota, the medical examiner or coroner determines both the cause and manner of death. Their role includes autopsy supervision, evidence review, and the final medicolegal certification filed with the state registrar.

Explanation

In Minnesota, the medical examiner or coroner determines both the cause and manner of death. Their role includes autopsy supervision, evidence review, and the final medicolegal certification filed with the state registrar.

3. When should jurisdiction be accepted by the coroner/medical examiner?

When the death is natural and witnessed

When the death is sudden, unexpected, or suspicious

Only when family requests an autopsy

After the funeral home reports it

Jurisdiction should be accepted when a death is sudden, suspicious, unattended, or unexplained. MN Statute 390 mandates coroner involvement in such cases to protect legal integrity and determine accurate cause and manner of death.

Explanation

Jurisdiction should be accepted when a death is sudden, suspicious, unattended, or unexplained. MN Statute 390 mandates coroner involvement in such cases to protect legal integrity and determine accurate cause and manner of death.

4. What is the first step upon receiving a death call as an investigator?

Notify law enforcement immediately

Verify jurisdiction and gather preliminary facts

Arrange body transport

Contact the family for statements

Upon receiving a death report, an investigator’s first step is to verify jurisdiction and collect basic facts such as location, circumstances, and whether the case meets reporting criteria. This ensures proper case handling and chain of custody from the beginning.

Explanation

Upon receiving a death report, an investigator’s first step is to verify jurisdiction and collect basic facts such as location, circumstances, and whether the case meets reporting criteria. This ensures proper case handling and chain of custody from the beginning.

5. Official pronouncement of death can be:

Decided by the attending physician only.

To be determined by state statatute and local customes

Dependent on individual belief systems.

Solely based on family members' opinions.

Determined by the deceased person's last will.

The official pronouncement of death is typically determined by state statutes and local customs, involving a formal process to legally declare an individual as deceased.

Explanation

The official pronouncement of death is typically determined by state statutes and local customs, involving a formal process to legally declare an individual as deceased.

6. Who must provide authorization to conduct a medical legal autopsy?

Law enforcement officers

Primary care physicians

Funeral home directors

Coroner or medical examiner when the jurisdiction is established

Authorization for a medical legal autopsy must come from the coroner or medical examiner in cases where jurisdiction is established, as they have the legal authority to order such procedures.

Explanation

Authorization for a medical legal autopsy must come from the coroner or medical examiner in cases where jurisdiction is established, as they have the legal authority to order such procedures.

7. Your office is investigating an expected SIDS death. When should you notify your statewide SIDS program?

After notifying the family of the deceased.

Before performing any investigation on the death.

Once all other causes of death have been ruled out.

As soon as possible following the autopsy.

It is crucial to notify the statewide SIDS program as soon as possible following the autopsy to ensure proper investigation and support for the case.

Explanation

It is crucial to notify the statewide SIDS program as soon as possible following the autopsy to ensure proper investigation and support for the case.

8. Is it reportable?

Yes, because the infant was found unresponsive.

No, because the infant had no prior medical conditions.

No, because the infant was declared dead at the hospital.

The C/ME has jurisdiction becasue of the unexplained death of an infant.

No, because there was no external trauma or disease noted.

In cases of unexplained infant death, it is considered reportable as the cause of death needs to be investigated by the medical examiner.

Explanation

In cases of unexplained infant death, it is considered reportable as the cause of death needs to be investigated by the medical examiner.

9. Authorization for organ/tissue procurement is considered valid if

A donor card is found in his wallet

A donor designation appears on the deceased DL

An ER MD gives permission

LNOK or represenative

In the process of organ/tissue procurement, the most valid authorization comes from the deceased's Legal Next of Kin (LNOK) or their representative. This ensures that the decision is made by someone who has the legal authority to provide consent.

Explanation

In the process of organ/tissue procurement, the most valid authorization comes from the deceased's Legal Next of Kin (LNOK) or their representative. This ensures that the decision is made by someone who has the legal authority to provide consent.

Forensic Science Quiz on Death Investigation Procedures