NEET-PG 2023 — Forensic Medicine

Q: In which condition is postmortem caloricity observed?

Septicemia. ***Septicemia*** - **Postmortem caloricity** (a rise in body temperature after death) is a characteristic finding in cases of **septicemia** due to ongoing bacterial activity and metabolic processes that continue for a short period post-mortem. - The bacterial activity in septicemia continues to generate heat, leading to a transient increase in core body temperature before it eventually falls to ambient levels. - **Note:** Other conditions causing postmortem caloricity include heat stroke, cholera, tetanus, and certain poisonings (e.g., strychnine), but among the given options, **septicemia is the correct answer**. *Massive hemorrhage* - **Massive hemorrhage** typically causes a significant drop in body temperature before death due to volume loss and circulatory collapse, and this hypothermia usually continues after death. - It does not involve conditions that would lead to a postmortem rise in temperature; rather, it promotes **algor mortis** (cooling of the body). *Cyanide poisoning* - **Cyanide poisoning** inhibits cellular respiration and energy production, leading to rapid tissue anoxia and cellular death. - It does not involve a process that would generate heat post-mortem; instead, it causes rapid cessation of metabolic heat production and normal cooling follows. *Corrosive poisoning* - **Corrosive poisoning** causes local tissue damage and systemic effects that can lead to shock and hypothermia, but it does not generally cause postmortem caloricity. - The primary effects are on tissue destruction and organ failure, which would not result in postmortem heat generation. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Method of autopsy in which organs of various systems are removed en masse:

Lettulle. ***Lettulle*** - The **Lettulle method** (or en masse method) involves the removal of organs in large blocks or as a single unit, which helps preserve anatomical relationships. - This technique is particularly useful for studying the **interrelationships between organs** and the spread of disease involving multiple systems. *Virchow* - The **Virchow method** involves the individual removal of each organ, which allows for detailed examination of each organ separately. - This method is straightforward but can disrupt the **anatomical relationships** between organs. *Rokitansky* - The **Rokitansky method** involves *in situ* dissection of organs, with the organs remaining largely in the body during dissection. - This technique is valued for maintaining the **topographical integrity** of organ systems within the body cavity. *Ghon* - The **Ghon method** is a modified block dissection method, focusing on the removal of specific organ blocks. - This often includes the **thoracic and abdominal organs** together, maintaining their anatomical connections. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

2 Previous Year Questions with Answers & Explanations

Questions

In which condition is postmortem caloricity observed?

Method of autopsy in which organs of various systems are removed en masse:

NEET-PG 2023 - Forensic Medicine NEET-PG Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 1: In which condition is postmortem caloricity observed?

A. Septicemia (Correct Answer)
B. Massive hemorrhage
C. Cyanide poisoning
D. Corrosive poisoning

Explanation: ***Septicemia*** - **Postmortem caloricity** (a rise in body temperature after death) is a characteristic finding in cases of **septicemia** due to ongoing bacterial activity and metabolic processes that continue for a short period post-mortem. - The bacterial activity in septicemia continues to generate heat, leading to a transient increase in core body temperature before it eventually falls to ambient levels. - **Note:** Other conditions causing postmortem caloricity include heat stroke, cholera, tetanus, and certain poisonings (e.g., strychnine), but among the given options, **septicemia is the correct answer**. *Massive hemorrhage* - **Massive hemorrhage** typically causes a significant drop in body temperature before death due to volume loss and circulatory collapse, and this hypothermia usually continues after death. - It does not involve conditions that would lead to a postmortem rise in temperature; rather, it promotes **algor mortis** (cooling of the body). *Cyanide poisoning* - **Cyanide poisoning** inhibits cellular respiration and energy production, leading to rapid tissue anoxia and cellular death. - It does not involve a process that would generate heat post-mortem; instead, it causes rapid cessation of metabolic heat production and normal cooling follows. *Corrosive poisoning* - **Corrosive poisoning** causes local tissue damage and systemic effects that can lead to shock and hypothermia, but it does not generally cause postmortem caloricity. - The primary effects are on tissue destruction and organ failure, which would not result in postmortem heat generation.

Question 2: Method of autopsy in which organs of various systems are removed en masse:

A. Lettulle (Correct Answer)
B. Virchow
C. Rokitansky
D. Ghon

Explanation: ***Lettulle*** - The **Lettulle method** (or en masse method) involves the removal of organs in large blocks or as a single unit, which helps preserve anatomical relationships. - This technique is particularly useful for studying the **interrelationships between organs** and the spread of disease involving multiple systems. *Virchow* - The **Virchow method** involves the individual removal of each organ, which allows for detailed examination of each organ separately. - This method is straightforward but can disrupt the **anatomical relationships** between organs. *Rokitansky* - The **Rokitansky method** involves *in situ* dissection of organs, with the organs remaining largely in the body during dissection. - This technique is valued for maintaining the **topographical integrity** of organ systems within the body cavity. *Ghon* - The **Ghon method** is a modified block dissection method, focusing on the removal of specific organ blocks. - This often includes the **thoracic and abdominal organs** together, maintaining their anatomical connections.