FMGE 2025 - Forensic Medicine PYQs Practice Questions

Q: A case of death of a married female within 3 years of marriage was reported. Inquest is done by?

Magistrate. ***Magistrate*** - According to **Section 176 of the CrPC**, an inquest by a **Judicial or Executive Magistrate** is mandatory in cases where a woman dies within **seven years** of marriage under suspicious circumstances, including potential dowry death or cruelty. - The death of a married female within 3 years falls under this mandatory period, requiring a **Magisterial Inquest** to ensure a thorough, unbiased investigation into the cause, especially regarding **dowry harassment**. *Incorrect: Judicial* - While a **Judicial Magistrate** can conduct the inquest under CrPC Section 176, the term is too specific, as often an **Executive Magistrate** is appointed for this role, making 'Magistrate' the more comprehensive correct answer. - The primary distinguishing feature is the mandatory involvement of either **Executive or Judicial Magistrate** to oversee the investigation. *Incorrect: Police* - A Police Inquest (under **CrPC Section 174**) is generally the default for unnatural deaths, but it is **not sufficient** alone for deaths occurring within seven years of marriage due to the high suspicion of cruelty or dowry demand. - The police conduct the initial collection of evidence, but the crucial formal investigation in these specific cases is mandated to be supervised or conducted by a **Magistrate**. *Incorrect: Coroner* - The **Coroner system** is largely historic or limited to only a few metropolitan areas (like Mumbai and Kolkata) in India; it is not the universally mandated authority for inquests under Indian law. - The legal framework covering suspicious deaths of married women requires investigation by the **Police** (Section 174) and subsequent, mandatory inquest by the **Magistrate** (Section 176). [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: A forensic expert received a summons from the district court to record his evidence in a criminal case, but two days prior, he already received a summons for a civil case in the same district court for the same date. What should the doctor do?

Attend the court for the criminal case.. ***Attend the court for the criminal case.***- In India, under the law of evidence and procedure, **criminal cases** are always given priority over **civil cases** when there are conflicting summons for the same date, even if the civil summons was received earlier.- The expert must attend the criminal proceedings and inform the civil court immediately in writing regarding the conflict and the legally mandated priority of the **criminal summons**.*Inform both courts and wait.*- Simply notifying both courts without making a decision on attendance is insufficient and represents a failure to comply with the legal obligation to prioritize the more serious case (**criminal proceeding**).- This action risks being held in **contempt of court** or attracting fines, as the expert is legally required to attend the proceeding of higher precedence.*Attend the court for which the summons came first.*- Priority in attending court is determined by the **nature of the case** (criminal taking precedence over civil), not by the **chronology** (the date the summons was received).- A criminal case deals with matters of public interest and potential loss of liberty, giving it inherent precedence over a civil dispute.*Do not attend either court.*- Failing to attend court after being served a legitimate summons (subpoena) constitutes professional misconduct and **contempt of court**.- The expert must prioritize and attend one court, usually the **criminal trial**, and seek valid authorization or exemption from the other. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: A person got stabbed in his anterior thigh and died. His body was brought for postmortem. What type of injury is this?

Penetrating wound. ***Penetrating wound***- This classification is used when a weapon or object, such as a knife, enters the body and involves tissues deep beneath the skin, with the depth significantly greater than the surface area. The injury is classified as **penetrating** because the weapon entered the body (likely compromising major structures like the **femoral vessels** in the thigh, leading to death) but did not exit the other side.*Incised wound*- An *incised wound* is typically a clean cut or slicing injury caused by a sharp edge where the **length of the wound usually exceeds its depth** and severity. These wounds are typically superficial, unlike a fatal stab that enters deep structures.*Puncture wound*- A *puncture wound* is caused by a pointed object (e.g., a nail or needle) and is characterized by a small entrance hole with depth, but the term **penetrating** is the more definitive classification for a severe stab wound caused by a weapon that enters deep structures or a body cavity.*Blunt force injury*- *Blunt force injuries* result from trauma caused by objects with a non-sharp surface (e.g., a bat, fist, or car bumper), leading to injuries such as **contusions, abrasions, or lacerations**, which is inconsistent with a sharp 'stab' injury. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: A villager was assaulted by 4-5 people & brought to hospital in serious condition. His dying declaration needs to be recorded in hospital. Who is the MOST PREFERRED authority to record this declaration?

Magistrate. ***Magistrate*** - Under Section 32(1) of the Indian Evidence Act, a **Judicial Magistrate** is the **most preferred authority** to record a dying declaration to ensure impartiality and high evidential value in court. - The magistrate's recording carries the highest legal weight as it prevents future scrutiny regarding coercion, fabrication, or undue influence. - This is the gold standard for dying declarations in Indian medico-legal practice. *Doctor* - A doctor can record a dying declaration when a magistrate is unavailable, but this is a **secondary option**. - The doctor's primary role is certifying the patient's **mental competence** and **fitness** to make the declaration, both before and after recording. - While legally valid, doctor-recorded declarations may face more scrutiny in court compared to magistrate-recorded ones. *Police officer* - A police officer can record a dying declaration when neither a magistrate nor doctor is available, making it a **tertiary option**. - Police-recorded declarations often face the most scrutiny in court due to concerns about potential bias or influence. - The investigating officer should ideally avoid recording to maintain investigation integrity. *Hospital administration* - Hospital administration has **no legal authority** to record dying declarations. - Administrative staff lack the legal standing and training required for this medico-legal procedure. - Only magistrates, doctors, or police officers are recognized authorities under Indian law. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: What type of fracture is caused by a hammer?

Depressed. ***Depressed*** - This type of fracture is caused by a direct blow from a weapon with a small surface area, such as a **hammer** or a stone, concentrating the force in a localized area. - It is characterized by the inward displacement of a segment of the skull bone, which can potentially compress or lacerate the underlying **dura mater** and **brain tissue**. *Linear* - A **linear fracture** is a simple break in the bone that runs in a relatively straight line, without any displacement of the bone fragments. - It is the most common type of skull fracture and typically results from low-energy **blunt force trauma** over a wide surface area, such as a fall or being hit with a flat object. *Hinge* - A **hinge fracture** is a type of **basilar skull fracture** that traverses the base of the skull, often separating the anterior and middle cranial fossae from the posterior fossa. - This severe injury is typically caused by a major impact to the side of the head or chin, leading to significant intracranial damage and a high mortality rate. *Ring* - A **ring fracture** is a specific basilar skull fracture where the bone around the **foramen magnum** is broken, often detaching it from the rest of the skull base. - It is usually caused by forces transmitted along the vertebral column to the skull, such as a fall from a height landing on the feet or a severe blow to the top of the head. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

A case of death of a married female within 3 years of marriage was reported. Inquest is done by?

Accepted Answer

Magistrate

Answer

Police

Answer

Judicial

Answer

Coroner

Question 2

A forensic expert received a summons from the district court to record his evidence in a criminal case, but two days prior, he already received a summons for a civil case in the same district court for the same date. What should the doctor do?

Accepted Answer

Attend the court for the criminal case.

Answer

Attend the court for which the summons came first.

Answer

Do not attend either court.

Answer

Inform both courts and wait.

Question 3

A person got stabbed in his anterior thigh and died. His body was brought for postmortem. What type of injury is this?

Accepted Answer

Penetrating wound

Answer

Incised wound

Answer

Blunt force injury

Answer

Puncture wound

Question 4

A villager was assaulted by 4-5 people & brought to hospital in serious condition. His dying declaration needs to be recorded in hospital. Who is the MOST PREFERRED authority to record this declaration?

Accepted Answer

Magistrate

Answer

Doctor

Answer

Hospital administration

Answer

Police officer

Question 5

What type of fracture is caused by a hammer?

Accepted Answer

Depressed

Answer

Hinge

Answer

Linear

Answer

Ring

Question 6

A married female died under unnatural circumstances within 3 years of marriage. Her father filed a report to police and inquiry will be done under which section?

Accepted Answer

196 BNSS/176 CrPC

Answer

116 BNS & 194 BNSS

Answer

194 BNSS/174 CrPC

Answer

106 BNS & 194 BNSS

Question 7

Leading questions can be asked in?

Accepted Answer

Cross-examination

Answer

Re-examination

Answer

Anytime

Answer

Examination in chief

Question 8

During a forensic examination, a skull bone was brought by police whose cephalic index came out to be 85. Skull bone belongs to which race?

Accepted Answer

Mongoloids

Answer

European

Answer

Negroes

Answer

Aryan

Question 9

Identify the fracture:

Accepted Answer

Depressed fracture

Answer

Gutter fracture

Answer

Linear fracture

Answer

Hinge fracture

Question 10

A patient presents with a transverse fracture at the skull base, described as splitting it and creating a 'hinge' with a 'nodding face sign.' This fracture extends from one petrous ridge across the sella turcica to the other petrous ridge. Which type of fracture is this?

Accepted Answer

Motorcyclist Fracture (Hinge Fracture)

Answer

Comminuted Fracture

Answer

Depressed Fracture

Answer

Ring Fracture

FMGE 2025 — Forensic Medicine