Decedent Identification Methods Flashcards
6 cards from real ABMDI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Decedent Identification Methods flashcards as text
DNA-based decedent identification requires collection of reference samples. Which of the following is an appropriate reference DNA source?
Answer: A personal item with the decedent's DNA (toothbrush, razor) or a biological relative's DNA sample
Reference DNA can be obtained from personal items bearing the individual's biological material, or via kinship analysis using samples from biological relatives.
Dental identification is considered one of the most reliable methods because:
Answer: Teeth are extremely durable, and unique dental patterns can persist through trauma, fire, and decomposition
Teeth are highly resistant to decomposition, fire, and trauma. The unique combination of dental restorations, missing teeth, and anatomical features makes dental comparison a highly reliable identification method.
Which of the following identification methods is considered least reliable as a standalone identification?
Answer: Visual identification by a family member
Visual identification by family members is unreliable because grief, trauma, decomposition, or facial injuries can cause errors. It is not accepted as a primary scientific identification method.
The term presumptive identification in death investigation means:
Answer: Identity has been established to a high probability based on available circumstantial evidence but not scientifically confirmed
Presumptive identification is a working identification based on strong circumstantial evidence (documents, belongings, visual) but not yet confirmed by scientific methods.
In mass fatality incidents, what system is commonly used to organize and track the reconciliation of postmortem and antemortem data?
Answer: DMORT databases and reconciliation systems
In mass fatality events, DMORT (Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams) and associated databases are used to systematically reconcile postmortem findings with antemortem records for identification.
What is the primary use of the AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) in death investigation?
Answer: Comparing postmortem fingerprints against national databases to identify unknown decedents
AFIS is used to compare fingerprints collected from an unknown decedent against existing databases to achieve positive identification.