American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

Which of the following indicates the absence of a heartbeat as a sign of death?

1. Rigor mortis

2. Flat EEG

3. Cardiac arrest

4. Cardinal sign of death

The correct answer is: Cardinal sign of death

The indication of death often involves a combination of physical signs and physiological responses. The cardinal signs of death are crucial in determining whether an individual has passed away. They typically include the absence of a heartbeat, breathing, and brain activity, among other factors. In this context, the cardinal sign of death encompasses the clinical criteria used to establish death, with the absence of a heartbeat being one of the most definitive indicators. It is essential in various medical and legal contexts, particularly in investigations surrounding cause and manner of death, as it confirms that no life-sustaining functions are occurring. Though rigor mortis, flat EEG, and cardiac arrest are also significant in the context of death, they do not individually summarize the definitive criteria. Rigor mortis refers to the postmortem stiffening of muscles, which occurs after death but does not indicate the absence of a heartbeat directly. A flat EEG indicates a lack of electrical activity in the brain, but it does not specifically denote the absence of a heartbeat. Cardiac arrest refers to the cessation of heart function but is a condition rather than a definitive sign of confirmed death; one may still be resuscitated following cardiac arrest. Thus, identifying the absence of a heartbeat as a core aspect of the cardinal signs