Police Sergeant Practice Exam

What is one exception among presumptive signs that indicate death?

1. A fixed pupillary response

2. A bluish color on the body's outer extremities

3. A lack of pulse

4. A cold body temperature

The correct answer is: A bluish color on the body's outer extremities

Among the presumptive signs that indicate death, a bluish color on the body's outer extremities is an exception because it can occur under various conditions that do not necessarily signal death. This cyanosis, or bluish discoloration, can be observed in cases of severe hypoxia or inadequate blood circulation but may not confirm that a person is deceased. In contrast, other signs like a fixed pupillary response, a lack of pulse, or a cold body temperature are more definitive indicators of death. For instance, a fixed pupillary response indicates a loss of brain function and is closely associated with death. Similarly, a lack of pulse, which signifies the heart is no longer pumping blood, is another strong indicator. A cold body temperature typically follows death as the body cools postmortem. Thus, among the listed options, while cyanosis may suggest critical health issues, it does not unequivocally signify that a person has died, making it the exception in this context.