American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

What should you do when investigating a death to ensure thorough information collection?

1. Summarize the scene findings with law enforcement personnel

2. Allow the family to contact the doctor for medical history

3. Avoid asking the family sensitive questions

4. Ask who, what, when, where, why, and how

The correct answer is: Ask who, what, when, where, why, and how

Asking who, what, when, where, why, and how is a fundamental approach in investigation, particularly in death investigations. This methodical questioning ensures that all aspects surrounding the death are explored comprehensively. By covering these six critical questions, an investigator can gather essential details about the circumstances of the death, the identity of individuals involved, timelines, locations, and the reasons behind the incident. This structured inquiry supports a more thorough understanding of the case, leading to better conclusions and insights. The other options may not facilitate the same level of comprehensive information gathering. Summarizing scene findings with law enforcement personnel can lead to information being overlooked, as it may rely on the perceptions of others rather than collecting firsthand accounts. Allowing the family to contact the doctor for medical history may result in missing immediate and pertinent information that investigators need to obtain directly. Additionally, avoiding sensitive questions could limit the depth of understanding necessary to address complex emotions or circumstances surrounding the death, which are crucial for a thorough investigation.