INI-CET 2021 — Forensic Medicine

Q: Match the following weapons with their corresponding injury types: Weapons: A. Axe B. RTA (Road Traffic Accident) C. Blade D. Lathi Injury Types: 5. Incised wound 6. Tram track bruise 7. Grazed abrasion 8. Chop wound

A-8, B-7, C-5, D-6. ***A-8 (Axe - Chop wound), B-7 (RTA - Grazed abrasion), C-5 (Blade - Incised wound), D-6 (Lathi - Tram track bruise)*** - An **axe** is a heavy cutting tool that typically causes a **chop wound**, characterized by a combination of cutting and crushing. - A **Road Traffic Accident (RTA)** frequently results in **grazed abrasions** due to friction and shearing forces as the body slides against rough surfaces. - A **blade** (like a knife or razor) is designed to cut, producing an **incised wound** with clean, sharp edges. - A **lathi** (a heavy stick or baton) delivers blunt force trauma, often causing a **tram track bruise** due to the skin being crushed between the impactor and underlying bone, leading to parallel lines of bruising. *A-5, B-6, C-8, D-7* - This option incorrectly associates an **axe** with an **incised wound** (which is caused by a blade) and a **blade** with a **chop wound** (caused by an axe). - It also misattributes **RTA** to a **tram track bruise** and a **lathi** to a **grazed abrasion**, which are not the most typical injury patterns for these respective weapons/mechanisms. *A-6, B-8, C-7, D-5* - This pairing mistakenly links an **axe** with a **tram track bruise** and a **blade** with a **grazed abrasion**. - It also incorrectly associates an **RTA** with a **chop wound** and a **lathi** with an **incised wound**. *A-7, B-5, C-6, D-8* - This option incorrectly matches an **axe** with a **grazed abrasion** and a **lathi** with a **chop wound**. - It also inaccurately connects an **RTA** with an **incised wound** and a **blade** with a **tram track bruise**. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: An 18 year old female was sexually assaulted by a 20 year old male. There was presence of stains on the clothes of the victim. Barberio's test was performed on the stains. Which of the following is detected by this test?

Spermine. ***Spermine*** - The **Barberio's test** is a specific forensic test used to detect the presence of **spermine picrate crystals** when mixed with a picric acid solution. - The formation of yellow, needle-like crystals confirms the presence of **spermine**, a polyamine found in high concentrations in seminal fluid. *Choline* - While choline is present in semen, it is detected by the **Florence test**, which forms dark brown crystals. - The Barberio's test is not designed to detect choline. *Acid phosphatase* - **Acid phosphatase** is an enzyme found in high concentrations in seminal fluid and is detected by a different test, typically the **spot test with sodium alpha-naphthyl phosphate** and fast blue B dye. - This test is a presumptive test for semen but does not detect spermine. *Fructose* - **Fructose** is a sugar present in seminal fluid, providing energy for sperm. - Its detection involves specific biochemical tests, not the Barberio's test, which targets spermine. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: A skull was recovered from a forest. According to inquest papers, a girl had gone missing 15 days back. The skull was sent to the forensic research lab. Which of the following would identify it as a female skull? 1. Large frontal and parietal eminence 2. Heavy cheek bones 3. Smooth glabella 4. Square orbits 5. Narrow mastoid

1,3 and 5. ***1,3 and 5*** - **Large frontal and parietal eminences** are characteristic features of a **female skull**, indicating a more rounded appearance. - A **smooth glabella** (the area between the eyebrows) is typical for females, as males tend to have a more prominent brow ridge. A **narrow mastoid** process is also characteristic in females. *2,3 and 4* - **Heavy cheekbones** and **square orbits** are features more commonly associated with a **male skull**. - While a **smooth glabella** is a female characteristic, its combination with male features makes this option incorrect. *1 and 4 only* - **Large frontal eminences** are indicative of a female skull, but **square orbits** are a feature of a **male skull**. - This combination presents conflicting information regarding gender identification. *3,4 and 5* - A **smooth glabella** and **narrow mastoid** are features of a **female skull**. - However, **square orbits** are typically found in **male skulls**, rendering this option incorrect. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: The dead body of a 20 year old man found in the sea was brought in for postmortem examination. Which of the following findings would you see in seawater drowning? 1. Hemoconcentration 2. Pulmonary edema 3. Hyponatremia 4. Hypernatremia 5. Hemolysis

1 and 4. ***1 and 4*** - In **seawater drowning**, the hypertonic seawater (3-4% salt) creates an osmotic gradient that pulls plasma fluid from the blood into the alveoli, leading to **hemoconcentration**. - The absorption of hypertonic seawater into the bloodstream results in **hypernatremia** and hyperchloremia. - These are the characteristic electrolyte and hematologic findings specific to seawater drowning. *2, 4 and 5* - While **hypernatremia** is correct, this option incorrectly includes **pulmonary edema** (which is non-specific to drowning type) and **hemolysis** (which is characteristic of freshwater drowning, not seawater). - **Hemolysis** occurs in freshwater drowning when hypotonic water enters the bloodstream, causing red blood cells to swell and lyse. *2, 3 and 5* - This option is incorrect as it includes findings characteristic of **freshwater drowning**: **hyponatremia** and **hemolysis**. - In freshwater drowning, hypotonic water absorption causes hemodilution (not hemoconcentration), leading to hyponatremia and hemolysis. - **Pulmonary edema** is present in both types but does not differentiate between them. *1 and 3* - While **hemoconcentration** is correct for seawater drowning, **hyponatremia** is incorrect. - Hyponatremia is a feature of freshwater drowning due to dilution of serum sodium by absorbed hypotonic water. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: The friend and victim had alcohol and got into an argument over a common girlfriend, following which the friend kills the victim by sitting on his chest and covering his nose and mouth. This is an example of?

Smothering. ***Smothering*** - This scenario describes **manual obstruction** of the mouth and nose, preventing air entry without external neck compression. - The act of sitting on the chest further restricts respiratory movements, contributing to **asphyxia**. *Gagging* - Gagging refers to the obstruction of the **oral cavity** due to material placed inside the mouth, typically to prevent speaking or crying out. - While it can contribute to asphyxia, the primary mechanism described here involves external covering of both nose and mouth. *Choking* - Choking involves the **internal obstruction** of the airway, usually by a foreign body lodged in the pharynx or larynx. - This scenario explicitly details external occlusion of the respiratory orifices, not internal blockage. *Throttling* - Throttling is a form of **manual strangulation** that involves direct compression of the neck by hands or forearm. - The description of covering the nose and mouth rather than compressing the neck rules out throttling. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

7 Previous Year Questions with Answers & Explanations

Questions

Match the following weapons with their corresponding injury types: Weapons: A. Axe B. RTA (Road Traffic Accident) C. Blade D. Lathi Injury Types: 5. Incised wound 6. Tram track bruise 7. Grazed abrasion 8. Chop wound

An 18 year old female was sexually assaulted by a 20 year old male. There was presence of stains on the clothes of the victim. Barberio's test was performed on the stains. Which of the following is detected by this test?

A skull was recovered from a forest. According to inquest papers, a girl had gone missing 15 days back. The skull was sent to the forensic research lab. Which of the following would identify it as a female skull? 1. Large frontal and parietal eminence 2. Heavy cheek bones 3. Smooth glabella 4. Square orbits 5. Narrow mastoid

The dead body of a 20 year old man found in the sea was brought in for postmortem examination. Which of the following findings would you see in seawater drowning? 1. Hemoconcentration 2. Pulmonary edema 3. Hyponatremia 4. Hypernatremia 5. Hemolysis

The friend and victim had alcohol and got into an argument over a common girlfriend, following which the friend kills the victim by sitting on his chest and covering his nose and mouth. This is an example of?

A person working in a dye factory presented with nausea, vomiting, dark bloody stools, conjunctivitis, and a burning sensation in the throat and stomach. Which poisoning do you suspect in this case?

On conducting the autopsy on a victim of hanging, the ligature mark is seen at the lower 1/3rd of the neck. The victim is seen to have a protruded tongue. He was found with his head hanging to his left side with saliva dribbling from the left angle of his mouth. The right pupil appears constricted and there is ptosis (drooping) of the right eyelid. Compression of which of the following structures is the most probable reason for the unilateral ptosis in this case?

INI-CET 2021 - Forensic Medicine INI-CET Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 1: Match the following weapons with their corresponding injury types: Weapons: A. Axe B. RTA (Road Traffic Accident) C. Blade D. Lathi Injury Types: 5. Incised wound 6. Tram track bruise 7. Grazed abrasion 8. Chop wound

A. A-5, B-6, C-8, D-7
B. A-6, B-8, C-7, D-5
C. A-8, B-7, C-5, D-6 (Correct Answer)
D. A-7, B-5, C-6, D-8

Explanation: ***A-8 (Axe - Chop wound), B-7 (RTA - Grazed abrasion), C-5 (Blade - Incised wound), D-6 (Lathi - Tram track bruise)*** - An **axe** is a heavy cutting tool that typically causes a **chop wound**, characterized by a combination of cutting and crushing. - A **Road Traffic Accident (RTA)** frequently results in **grazed abrasions** due to friction and shearing forces as the body slides against rough surfaces. - A **blade** (like a knife or razor) is designed to cut, producing an **incised wound** with clean, sharp edges. - A **lathi** (a heavy stick or baton) delivers blunt force trauma, often causing a **tram track bruise** due to the skin being crushed between the impactor and underlying bone, leading to parallel lines of bruising. *A-5, B-6, C-8, D-7* - This option incorrectly associates an **axe** with an **incised wound** (which is caused by a blade) and a **blade** with a **chop wound** (caused by an axe). - It also misattributes **RTA** to a **tram track bruise** and a **lathi** to a **grazed abrasion**, which are not the most typical injury patterns for these respective weapons/mechanisms. *A-6, B-8, C-7, D-5* - This pairing mistakenly links an **axe** with a **tram track bruise** and a **blade** with a **grazed abrasion**. - It also incorrectly associates an **RTA** with a **chop wound** and a **lathi** with an **incised wound**. *A-7, B-5, C-6, D-8* - This option incorrectly matches an **axe** with a **grazed abrasion** and a **lathi** with a **chop wound**. - It also inaccurately connects an **RTA** with an **incised wound** and a **blade** with a **tram track bruise**.

Question 2: An 18 year old female was sexually assaulted by a 20 year old male. There was presence of stains on the clothes of the victim. Barberio's test was performed on the stains. Which of the following is detected by this test?

A. Choline
B. Acid phosphatase
C. Spermine (Correct Answer)
D. Fructose

Explanation: ***Spermine*** - The **Barberio's test** is a specific forensic test used to detect the presence of **spermine picrate crystals** when mixed with a picric acid solution. - The formation of yellow, needle-like crystals confirms the presence of **spermine**, a polyamine found in high concentrations in seminal fluid. *Choline* - While choline is present in semen, it is detected by the **Florence test**, which forms dark brown crystals. - The Barberio's test is not designed to detect choline. *Acid phosphatase* - **Acid phosphatase** is an enzyme found in high concentrations in seminal fluid and is detected by a different test, typically the **spot test with sodium alpha-naphthyl phosphate** and fast blue B dye. - This test is a presumptive test for semen but does not detect spermine. *Fructose* - **Fructose** is a sugar present in seminal fluid, providing energy for sperm. - Its detection involves specific biochemical tests, not the Barberio's test, which targets spermine.

Question 3: A skull was recovered from a forest. According to inquest papers, a girl had gone missing 15 days back. The skull was sent to the forensic research lab. Which of the following would identify it as a female skull? 1. Large frontal and parietal eminence 2. Heavy cheek bones 3. Smooth glabella 4. Square orbits 5. Narrow mastoid

A. 1,3 and 5 (Correct Answer)
B. 2,3 and 4
C. 1 and 4 only
D. 3,4 and 5

Explanation: ***1,3 and 5*** - **Large frontal and parietal eminences** are characteristic features of a **female skull**, indicating a more rounded appearance. - A **smooth glabella** (the area between the eyebrows) is typical for females, as males tend to have a more prominent brow ridge. A **narrow mastoid** process is also characteristic in females. *2,3 and 4* - **Heavy cheekbones** and **square orbits** are features more commonly associated with a **male skull**. - While a **smooth glabella** is a female characteristic, its combination with male features makes this option incorrect. *1 and 4 only* - **Large frontal eminences** are indicative of a female skull, but **square orbits** are a feature of a **male skull**. - This combination presents conflicting information regarding gender identification. *3,4 and 5* - A **smooth glabella** and **narrow mastoid** are features of a **female skull**. - However, **square orbits** are typically found in **male skulls**, rendering this option incorrect.

Question 4: The dead body of a 20 year old man found in the sea was brought in for postmortem examination. Which of the following findings would you see in seawater drowning? 1. Hemoconcentration 2. Pulmonary edema 3. Hyponatremia 4. Hypernatremia 5. Hemolysis

A. 2,4 and 5
B. 2,3 and 5
C. 1 and 3
D. 1 and 4 (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***1 and 4*** - In **seawater drowning**, the hypertonic seawater (3-4% salt) creates an osmotic gradient that pulls plasma fluid from the blood into the alveoli, leading to **hemoconcentration**. - The absorption of hypertonic seawater into the bloodstream results in **hypernatremia** and hyperchloremia. - These are the characteristic electrolyte and hematologic findings specific to seawater drowning. *2, 4 and 5* - While **hypernatremia** is correct, this option incorrectly includes **pulmonary edema** (which is non-specific to drowning type) and **hemolysis** (which is characteristic of freshwater drowning, not seawater). - **Hemolysis** occurs in freshwater drowning when hypotonic water enters the bloodstream, causing red blood cells to swell and lyse. *2, 3 and 5* - This option is incorrect as it includes findings characteristic of **freshwater drowning**: **hyponatremia** and **hemolysis**. - In freshwater drowning, hypotonic water absorption causes hemodilution (not hemoconcentration), leading to hyponatremia and hemolysis. - **Pulmonary edema** is present in both types but does not differentiate between them. *1 and 3* - While **hemoconcentration** is correct for seawater drowning, **hyponatremia** is incorrect. - Hyponatremia is a feature of freshwater drowning due to dilution of serum sodium by absorbed hypotonic water.

Question 5: The friend and victim had alcohol and got into an argument over a common girlfriend, following which the friend kills the victim by sitting on his chest and covering his nose and mouth. This is an example of?

A. Gagging
B. Smothering (Correct Answer)
C. Choking
D. Throttling

Explanation: ***Smothering*** - This scenario describes **manual obstruction** of the mouth and nose, preventing air entry without external neck compression. - The act of sitting on the chest further restricts respiratory movements, contributing to **asphyxia**. *Gagging* - Gagging refers to the obstruction of the **oral cavity** due to material placed inside the mouth, typically to prevent speaking or crying out. - While it can contribute to asphyxia, the primary mechanism described here involves external covering of both nose and mouth. *Choking* - Choking involves the **internal obstruction** of the airway, usually by a foreign body lodged in the pharynx or larynx. - This scenario explicitly details external occlusion of the respiratory orifices, not internal blockage. *Throttling* - Throttling is a form of **manual strangulation** that involves direct compression of the neck by hands or forearm. - The description of covering the nose and mouth rather than compressing the neck rules out throttling.

Question 6: A person working in a dye factory presented with nausea, vomiting, dark bloody stools, conjunctivitis, and a burning sensation in the throat and stomach. Which poisoning do you suspect in this case?

A. Potassium permanganate (Correct Answer)
B. Lead
C. Arsenic
D. Thallium

Explanation: ***Potassium permanganate*** - The presence of **nausea, vomiting, dark bloody stools, conjunctivitis, and a burning sensation in the throat and stomach** is highly indicative of **potassium permanganate poisoning**, which is a caustic agent. - Exposure in a **dye factory** setting further supports this, as potassium permanganate is used as an **oxidizing agent** and **dyeing agent** in various industries. *Lead* - Lead poisoning typically presents with **neurological symptoms** (e.g., foot drop, wrist drop, encephalopathy), **gastrointestinal complaints** (e.g., colic, constipation), and **hematological abnormalities** (e.g., anemia with basophilic stippling). - The acute caustic effects like **burning sensation in the throat and bloody stools** are not characteristic of lead poisoning. *Arsenic* - Acute arsenic poisoning often involves **severe gastroenteritis** ("rice-water stools"), **garlic odor on breath**, **peripheral neuropathy**, and **cardiac arrhythmias**. - While it can cause gastrointestinal distress, the specific caustic burn and conjunctivitis alongside the industrial exposure profile point away from arsenic. *Thallium* - Thallium poisoning is characterized by **rapid hair loss (alopecia)**, **severe peripheral neuropathy**, and **gastrointestinal symptoms** (e.g., abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea). - The constellation of symptoms described, particularly the caustic burn and dark bloody stools, does not align with the typical presentation of thallium toxicity.

Question 7: On conducting the autopsy on a victim of hanging, the ligature mark is seen at the lower 1/3rd of the neck. The victim is seen to have a protruded tongue. He was found with his head hanging to his left side with saliva dribbling from the left angle of his mouth. The right pupil appears constricted and there is ptosis (drooping) of the right eyelid. Compression of which of the following structures is the most probable reason for the unilateral ptosis in this case?

A. Left vagus nerve
B. Right internal jugular vein
C. Right internal carotid artery
D. Cervical sympathetic chain (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Cervical sympathetic chain*** - The combination of **unilateral ptosis**, **miosis** (constricted pupil), and sometimes **anhidrosis** (lack of sweating) is characteristic of **Horner's syndrome**, which results from damage to the **cervical sympathetic chain**. - Hanging can cause compression or injury to this chain, leading to the observed **Horner's syndrome** on the ipsilateral side of the injury. *Left vagus nerve* - Compression of the **vagus nerve** is associated with cardiac arrhythmias, bradycardia, or gastric disturbances, not directly with ptosis. - The symptoms observed are specific to sympathetic dysfunction, not parasympathetic vagal stimulation. *Right internal jugular vein* - Compression of the **internal jugular vein** would cause venous congestion and edema in the head and neck, not neurological signs like ptosis or miosis. - While it can be injured in hanging, it does not directly explain the specific neurological findings. *Right internal carotid artery* - Compression of the **internal carotid artery** could lead to cerebral ischemia or stroke symptoms, such as weakness or sensory deficits, but not typically isolated ptosis and miosis. - The observed symptoms point to a specific sympathetic pathway disruption rather than arterial occlusion.