NEET-PG 2017 - Forensic Medicine PYQs Practice Questions

Q: The image shows:

Split laceration. ***Split laceration*** - **Split lacerations** result from **blunt force trauma** over a bony prominence, causing the skin to tear with irregular, jagged edges as seen in the image. - The wound shows typical features of tissue tearing rather than clean penetration, with **irregular margins** and evidence of stretching forces. *Stab wound* - **Stab wounds** are caused by **pointed objects** that penetrate cleanly, leaving relatively straight edges with minimal surrounding tissue damage. - The irregular, torn appearance in the image is inconsistent with the **clean, linear defect** typically seen in stab wounds. *Chop wound* - **Chop wounds** are produced by **heavy, sharp-edged instruments** like axes, combining features of incised wounds and lacerations with potential bone involvement. - This type would show a much **wider and deeper cut** with possible bone exposure, which is not evident in this case. *Crush laceration* - **Crush lacerations** occur from **compressive forces**, resulting in **stellate or irregular tears** with extensive soft tissue damage and surrounding bruising. - The wound lacks the **extensive tissue destruction**, **devitalized tissue**, and **significant bruising** characteristic of crush injuries. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: The image shows:

Crocodile burn. ***Crocodile burn*** - This image displays a characteristic pattern of **dehydrated skin** that has become **cracked and blackened**, resembling the scales of a crocodile, which is typical of a crocodile burn. - Crocodile burns are often associated with **high-voltage electrical injuries** where the skin is extensively damaged and denatured. *Joule burn* - A Joule burn typically refers to the **internal thermal damage** caused by an electric current flowing through tissues, which may not be immediately visible on the skin's surface in this distinct pattern. - While an electrical injury can cause surface burns, "Joule burn" specifically emphasizes the **heat generation within the body tissues**, not the external appearance shown. *Filigree burn* - A filigree burn, also known as a **Lichtenberg figure**, is a superficial, fern-like skin pattern caused by a **lightning strike**, which is distinct from the extensive, scaly appearance seen here. - These patterns are usually short-lived and represent the path of electrical discharge over the skin, without the widespread tissue destruction evident in the image. *Surface burn* - This is a very general term describing a burn that affects the skin's surface, but it lacks the **specificity** to describe the unique, severe, and distinct desiccation and cracking pattern shown. - The term "surface burn" could apply to many types of burns (e.g., superficial, partial thickness) and does not convey the **characteristic morphology** of a crocodile burn. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: The image shows:

Arborescent marks. ***Arborescent marks*** - These are **Lichtenberg figures**, a characteristic branching, fern-like pattern seen on the skin of individuals struck by lightning. - They are cutaneous manifestations of **blood vessel rupture and erythrocyte extravasation** caused by the electrical discharge. *Joule burn* - **Joule burn** is a term for thermal injuries caused by the heat generated from the resistance of tissue to the flow of electrical current, often seen at entry and exit points of an electrical injury. - Unlike arborescent marks, Joule burns present as localized, deep tissue damage, sometimes with charring or necrosis, and do not typically exhibit the branching pattern. *Surface burn* - **Surface burns** are general thermal injuries affecting the skin's outer layers, caused by contact with hot objects, flame, or scalding liquids - They appear as erythema, blistering, or skin loss but do not present with the specific **branching, fern-like pattern** characteristic of electrical injuries. *Crocodile burn* - **Crocodile burn** (or crocodile skin pattern) is a **recognized forensic term** referring to the characteristic splitting and fissuring of heat-exposed skin, resembling crocodile scales. - This pattern results from **heat-induced shrinkage and rupture of the dermis** in bodies exposed to intense fire, and is distinctly different from the branching electrical pattern of arborescent marks. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: A 25-year-old person was repairing the power plug of a geyser at home when he was electrocuted and died. The image shows:

Joule burn. ***Joule burn*** - This lesion is characteristic of an **electrical burn**, also known as a Joule burn or true electrical burn. The intense heat is generated by the passage of electrical current through body tissues (I²R heating), causing direct tissue destruction. - The appearance often includes a **central area of charring or necrosis** (dark, leathery, or blackened tissue) with a raised, crater-like edge, typically seen at entry and exit points of electrical current. *Spark lesion* - A spark lesion is typically a **smaller, superficial burn** caused by a momentary electrical arc or spark that jumps from conductor to skin without current passing through the body. - It usually presents as a **punctate or minor skin defect** with superficial charring and does not involve the extensive, deep tissue damage seen in Joule burns. *Crocodile skin* - "Crocodile skin" is a specific pattern seen in **high-voltage electrical injuries** where the epidermis separates and peels in a characteristic, polygonal pattern resembling crocodile hide. - This is a distinct manifestation of electrical injury, but the question describes a classic Joule burn with entry/exit point characteristics rather than this specific epidermal pattern. *Scald* - A scald is a burn caused by **hot liquid or steam**. - The appearance of scalds typically involves **blistering, redness, and peeling skin**, which is distinctly different from the charred, leathery appearance seen in electrical burns. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: The probable cause of death of the patient in the image shown is:

Hanging. ***Hanging*** - The image shows a **ligature mark that is oblique and incomplete**, extending upwards towards the **angle of the jaw or mastoid process** - This is **pathognomonic for hanging** where the knot/point of suspension creates upward pressure - The mark is typically **above the thyroid cartilage** and **higher on one side** (opposite to the knot) - **Key differentiating feature:** Oblique, upward-directed ligature mark with a gap at the knot site *Strangulation* - Ligature strangulation produces a **horizontal, complete ligature mark** that encircles the neck **at or below the thyroid cartilage** - The mark is typically **uniform in depth** and does not show the characteristic upward obliquity - Usually **homicidal**, whereas hanging is most commonly suicidal *Throttling* - A form of **manual strangulation** using hands to compress the neck - Produces **fingernail abrasions**, **finger pad bruises**, and **thumb marks** on the neck - **No ligature mark** is present; instead, there are multiple small contusions and scratch marks - Almost always **homicidal** *Gagging* - Involves **obstruction of the mouth and/or nose** to prevent breathing or vocalization - Does **not produce ligature marks on the neck** - May show injuries around the mouth, lips, or face, but the neck remains unmarked - The mechanism is airway obstruction, not neck compression [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

The image shows:

Accepted Answer

Split laceration

Answer

Chop wound

Answer

Crush laceration

Answer

Stab wound

Question 2

The image shows:

Accepted Answer

Crocodile burn

Answer

Joule burn

Answer

Filigree burn

Answer

Surface burn

Question 3

The image shows:

Accepted Answer

Arborescent marks

Answer

Joule burn

Answer

Surface burn

Answer

Crocodile burn

Question 4

A 25-year-old person was repairing the power plug of a geyser at home when he was electrocuted and died. The image shows:

Accepted Answer

Joule burn

Answer

Spark lesion

Answer

Crocodile skin

Answer

Scald

Question 5

The probable cause of death of the patient in the image shown is:

Accepted Answer

Hanging

Answer

Strangulation

Answer

Throttling

Answer

Gagging

Question 6

The probable cause of death of the patient shown below is:

Accepted Answer

Hanging

Answer

Strangulation

Answer

Throttling

Answer

Gagging

Question 7

Identify the seeds shown below that produce artificial bruises with their juice? (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Accepted Answer

Semecarpus anacardium

Answer

Nux vomica

Answer

Calotropis

Answer

Ricinus communis

Question 8

The seeds of the plant shown below resemble which of the following? (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Accepted Answer

Ricinus communis

Answer

Semecarpus anacardium

Answer

Capsicum

Answer

Nerium odorum

Question 9

What is the nature of the venom produced by the snake shown below? (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Accepted Answer

Neurotoxic

Answer

Vasculotoxic

Answer

Vasculotoxic and hemotoxic

Answer

Hemotoxic

Question 10

What is the type of venom of the snake shown below? (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Accepted Answer

Vasculotoxic and hemotoxic

Answer

Vasculotoxic

Answer

Neurotoxic

Answer

Hemotoxic

NEET-PG 2017 — Forensic Medicine