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Question #148 (5/15/2026)
National Association of Medical Examiners
Educational Activities Committee
Submitted by
Dr. Bartlomiej Radzik
(Assistant Medical Examiner),
Dr. Benjamin Soriano
(Assistant Medical Examiner), and
Dr. Lorenzo Gitto
(Assistant Medical Examiner, Research Director) from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Chicago, IL, USA.
1.
An adult female was found dead beneath bushes along a city sidewalk with initial suspicion of foul play. At autopsy, the finding seen in the photo was identified.
Based on the provided image, what is the most likely cause of the observed finding?
A. Blunt force trauma to the temple from a falling air compressor.
B. High‑speed motor vehicle collision with severe head–neck hyperflexion/extension
C. High‑energy impact to the sacrum
D. Intraoral shotgun wound
