Clinical Forensic Medicine Practice Questions

Q: What is meant by Falanga?

Beating on the soles with a blunt object. **Explanation:** **Falanga** (also known as bastinado) is a form of physical torture involving repeated beating on the **soles of the feet** with a blunt object, such as a rod, cane, or truncheon. 1. **Why Option A is Correct:** The medical significance of Falanga lies in its ability to cause intense pain and long-term disability without necessarily leaving obvious external marks initially. It leads to "closed compartment syndrome" of the small compartments of the feet, causing muscle necrosis, vascular damage, and chronic myofascial pain. Over time, it can result in permanent gait disturbances and the collapse of the plantar arches. 2. **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Option B (Beating on the ear):** This is known as **Telephono**. It involves slapping both ears simultaneously with cupped palms, which can cause sudden air pressure changes leading to tympanic membrane rupture. * **Option C (Beating on the abdomen):** While common in custodial torture, it does not have a specific eponymous name like Falanga. * **Option D (Suspension by wrists):** This is referred to as **Strappado** or "Palestinian Hanging." It often leads to shoulder dislocation and brachial plexus injuries. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Diagnosis:** In chronic cases, MRI or Ultrasound may show thickening of the plantar fascia and atrophy of the intrinsic foot muscles. * **Other Torture Terms:** * **Submarino:** Forced immersion of the head in water (near-drowning). * **Dry Submarino:** Suffocation using a plastic bag over the head. * **Cheek burning:** Known as the "cigarette burn" sign. * **Istanbul Protocol:** The international guideline for the documentation of torture and its consequences.

Q: What is Falanga?

Beating on soles with a blunt object. **Explanation:** **Falanga** (also known as bastinado) is a form of torture involving repeated beating on the soles of the feet with a blunt object, such as a rod, cane, or truncheon. It is designed to inflict intense pain while leaving minimal external evidence, making it a classic topic in clinical forensic medicine. * **Why Option A is Correct:** The soles have a thick layer of subcutaneous fat and a tough skin surface. Blunt force here causes deep tissue damage, including compartment syndrome, aseptic necrosis of the fat pad, and potential fractures of the tarsal/metatarsal bones, often without breaking the skin. * **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Option B (Beating on the ear):** This is known as **"Telefono"** (Telephone). It involves slapping both ears simultaneously with cupped palms, which can lead to tympanic membrane rupture due to sudden air pressure changes. * **Option C (Beating on the abdomen):** While common in custodial torture, it does not have a specific eponym like Falanga. It carries a high risk of internal organ rupture (spleen/liver). * **Option D (Suspension by wrists):** This is known as **"La Picota"** or "Palestinian Hanging." It often leads to brachial plexus injuries and shoulder dislocations. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** 1. **Gait Disturbance:** Chronic victims of Falanga develop a characteristic "shuffling gait" due to the loss of the heel's shock-absorbing fat pad. 2. **Imaging:** MRI is the gold standard for detecting chronic changes in Falanga, showing myofascial fibrosis and scarring in the foot. 3. **Istanbul Protocol:** This is the international guideline used for the documentation and investigation of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

Question 1

What is meant by Falanga?

Accepted Answer

Beating on the soles with a blunt object

Answer

Beating on the ear with both palms

Answer

Beating on the abdomen

Answer

Suspension by wrists

Question 2

A disoriented person is brought to you by relatives, with a smell of alcohol on their breath and a head wound. Which of the following features is more suggestive of drunkenness rather than concussion?

Accepted Answer

Warm flushed face

Answer

Feeble slow pulse

Answer

Unequal pupils

Answer

Retrograde amnesia not relieved by time

Question 3

What is Falanga?

Accepted Answer

Beating on soles with a blunt object

Answer

Beating on the ear with both palms

Answer

Beating on the abdomen

Answer

Suspension by wrists

Question 4

Which of the following drugs is used for Narcoanalysis?

Accepted Answer

Scopolamine

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Phenobarbitone

Answer

Pethidine

Question 5

A vasectomy is considered to have failed if the vasectomized person's wife gives birth to a child ten months after the operation. Which one of the following is the most probable cause for failure?

Accepted Answer

Surgical failure

Answer

Failure of the husband to use contraception after vasectomy

Answer

Recanalisation

Answer

Conception prior to vasectomy

Question 6

A 4-year-old female is brought to the casualty department with multiple fractured ribs and an inconspicuous history from parents. Examination reveals multiple bruises and healed fractures. What is the probable diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Battered baby syndrome

Answer

Polytrauma for evaluation

Answer

Flail chest

Answer

Munchausen syndrome

Clinical Forensic Medicine — MCQs

Clinical Forensic Medicine — MCQs

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