American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

What actions should be taken during the fingerprinting of a deceased at a crime scene?

1. Allow immediate fingerprinting without precautions

2. Take photos of the hands before fingerprinting

3. Protect trace evidence by using paper bags on the hands

4. Contact a supervisor for guidance

The correct answer is: Protect trace evidence by using paper bags on the hands

The correct answer involves protecting trace evidence by using paper bags on the hands of the deceased during fingerprinting. This action is vital because it helps preserve any potential evidence that may be on the skin, such as trace materials or residues that can provide critical information for the investigation. By using paper bags, investigators prevent contamination or loss of this evidence that might occur through handling or exposure to the environment. Conducting fingerprinting on a deceased individual carries the responsibility of ensuring that all evidence is preserved. This means not only taking the fingerprints but also taking precautions to safeguard any trace evidence that could be vital to understanding the circumstances surrounding the death or any involved individuals. The other actions, such as allowing immediate fingerprinting without precautions, may compromise the integrity of the scene and the evidence, while simply taking photos of the hands before fingerprinting might not be sufficient in terms of preserving trace evidence. Contacting a supervisor for guidance can be part of the procedure, but it does not directly address the immediate need to protect evidence during fingerprinting itself. Thus, the emphasis on using paper bags illustrates a committed approach to preserving the investigative process.