American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

What is a characteristic sign of decomposition observed within the first 36-48 hours?

1. Marbling and bloating of the face

2. Skin blebs and hair sloughing

3. Fractured glass injuries

4. Water or fluid in the lungs

The correct answer is: Marbling and bloating of the face

A characteristic sign of decomposition observed within the first 36-48 hours is marbling and bloating of the face. During the early stages of decomposition, the body undergoes significant changes as the microbial processes begin to break down tissues. Marbling refers to the greenish-black discoloration of the skin, particularly in blood vessel-rich areas, which occurs due to the breakdown of hemoglobin and the production of sulfhemoglobin. Bloating results from the accumulation of gases produced by the bacteria that are decomposing the body's tissues, causing the abdomen and other areas, including the face, to swell noticeably. While the other options describe various aspects or potential injuries, they do not align with the early manifestations of decomposition. For example, skin blebs and hair sloughing typically occur later in the decomposition process, as the body's integrity continues to deteriorate. Fractured glass injuries are related to trauma and do not occur as part of the natural processes of decomposition, and water or fluid in the lungs would be associated with asphyxia or drowning rather than decomposition itself. Thus, the signs of marbling and bloating are specifically indicative of the early decomposition process.