ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

Which term best describes the complete cessation of brain function?

1. Clinical death

2. Biological death

3. Coma

4. Traumatic death

The correct answer is: Biological death

The term that best describes the complete cessation of brain function is biological death. Biological death occurs when the brain has irreversibly lost all brain activity, including functions that maintain homeostasis, such as respiration and circulation. This stage typically signifies that the body can no longer sustain life and encompasses the total failure of the central nervous system, leading to the eventual failure of other systems in the body. Clinical death, on the other hand, refers to the cessation of blood circulation and breathing, but is sometimes reversible with immediate medical intervention. A coma is a state of deep unconsciousness where a person does not respond to stimuli, yet some brain functions may still be present. Traumatic death involves death resulting from external physical trauma, which may not necessarily mean complete brain function cessation. Therefore, biological death is the most accurate term reflecting the irreversible loss of brain function.