American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

Which of the following statements about a knife found on a homicide victim is false?

1. Leave the knife in place for the pathologist to evaluate the injury

2. Leave the knife intact for x-ray examination

3. Remove the knife for immediate processing by police

4. Preserve fingerprint evidence on the knife handle

The correct answer is: Remove the knife for immediate processing by police

A key consideration in death investigation is the proper handling of evidence to ensure that it is preserved for accurate forensic analysis. The statement that removing the knife for immediate processing by police is false reflects established protocols regarding the management of forensic evidence in homicide cases. When a knife is found embedded in a homicide victim, leaving the knife in place is crucial because it can provide valuable context and information about the cause of death. The position of the knife can help pathologists assess the trajectory of the stabbing, the angle, and the type of injury inflicted. This information can be critical in determining the nature of the attack and the dynamics involved. By leaving the knife in situ, it also ensures that the integrity of the crime scene is maintained, allowing for thorough examinations and preventing contamination of potential evidence. Furthermore, x-ray examinations can reveal important details about the weapon and any underlying injuries without disturbing the scene, which is another reason to avoid premature removal. Another critical aspect of handling the knife includes the preservation of fingerprint evidence. The handle of the knife may contain fingerprints or other trace evidence that could link a suspect to the crime. This potential evidence must be carefully collected and preserved, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining the knife's position until it can be safely processed by forensic experts.