American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

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What are tardieu spots?

Large bruises on the body
Pinpoint hemorrhages from livor mortis
Signs of internal bleeding
Hyperemia caused by tissue damage

The correct answer is: Pinpoint hemorrhages from livor mortis

Tardieu spots are small, pinpoint hemorrhages that can be observed in the skin, particularly noticeable after death in areas where blood has settled due to gravity, a process known as livor mortis. These spots occur as a result of the rupture of small blood vessels, leading to localized bleeding in the tissues. This phenomenon is specifically associated with the postmortem changes that occur as blood pools in the lower parts of the body due to the effects of gravity, especially in a position that is not upright. The dissemination of blood into the tissues causes the characteristic pinpoint bleeding observed in these areas. While large bruises or contusions can be seen on the body, they typically suggest a different mechanism of injury and are not specifically categorized as tardieu spots. Signs of internal bleeding also refer to more extensive bleeding not confined to the skin and are not typically associated with the phenomenon observed in livor mortis. Hyperemia due to tissue damage describes an increase in blood flow to tissues, which is distinct from the localized hemorrhage seen in tardieu spots following death.