American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

What should be done with evidence that has not been collected properly?

1. Stored for future investigations

2. Ignored in the analysis process

3. Used only for training purposes

4. Sent back to the collection agency for reevaluation

The correct answer is: Ignored in the analysis process

In the context of proper evidence collection and analysis, it is crucial to understand the implications of using improperly collected evidence. The most appropriate action is to recognize that evidence that has not been collected properly lacks the integrity and reliability necessary to support any conclusions or findings in an investigation. Improperly collected evidence can lead to contamination, misinterpretation, or even wrongful conclusions, which undermine the entire investigative process. Therefore, ignoring this evidence in the analysis process allows investigators to maintain the integrity of their findings. By not considering unreliable evidence, the investigative team upholds the standards of practice necessary to ensure that only valid, properly gathered evidence is used in legal proceedings. Using improperly collected evidence in analysis would likely lead to flawed conclusions, while storing it or using it for training purposes does not address the fundamental problem of its compromised integrity. Sending it back for reevaluation may also not be feasible if the evidence has already been tainted or altered during its initial handling. Thus, ensuring that only properly collected evidence is analyzed is essential for valid investigative outcomes.