NEET-PG 2013 - Forensic Medicine Practice Questions

Q: What is the term used for choking of the respiratory passage by a bolus of food?

Cafe Coronary. ***Cafe Coronary*** - This term describes sudden death caused by **obstruction of the airway by food**, often mistaken for a heart attack due to the sudden collapse. - It specifically refers to choking on food that leads to **asphyxiation**, frequently occurring in public eating places. *Gagging* - **Gagging** is a protective reflex that prevents objects from entering the throat or causing choking, but it doesn't describe the choking event itself. - It usually involves involuntary contractions of the pharynx and soft palate, often leading to **retching**. *Choking due to obstruction* - This is a general term for **airway obstruction** by anything, while "cafe coronary" specifically refers to food. - While accurate, it lacks the specific medical terminology used to describe food-induced fatal choking. *Suffocation due to food* - **Suffocation** is a broader term for oxygen deprivation, which can be caused by various means, not exclusively food. - While food can lead to suffocation, the term **"cafe coronary"** is more precise for the scenario of sudden death from food lodged in the respiratory passage.

Q: What is the diagnostic sign of antemortem drowning?

Paltauf's hemorrhage. ***Paltauf's hemorrhage*** - These are **subpleural ecchymoses** (petechial hemorrhages) found on the surface of the lungs that represent the **definitive diagnostic sign** of antemortem drowning. - They result from rapid changes in **pulmonary pressure** and vascular permeability due to active breathing efforts and water aspiration during the drowning process. *Emphysema aquosum* - This refers to **overdistention of lungs** with frothy fluid in airways, commonly seen in drowning cases. - It represents a **morphological change** rather than a specific diagnostic sign and can occur in various types of asphyxial deaths. *Water in esophagus* - Water presence in the esophagus occurs due to **swallowing during immersion** or passive post-mortem water entry. - This finding **cannot differentiate** between antemortem and post-mortem drowning as water can enter passively after death. *Weeds and grass in clenched hands* - While **cadaveric spasm** with vegetation indicates the person was alive during immersion and actively struggling, it is **not the diagnostic sign** of antemortem drowning. - This finding confirms **vital reaction** at the time of immersion but does not specifically diagnose the drowning mechanism itself.

Q: What is the time limit for exhumation in India?

No specific time limit. ***No specific time limit*** - In India, there is **no specific legal time limit** for exhumation; it is subject to the discretion of a magistrate or judicial authority. - Exhumation is ordered if there is a **reasonable suspicion or compelling grounds** to believe that an examination of the remains will provide crucial evidence for a criminal investigation. *One month* - This is **incorrect** as there is no such restrictive time frame for exhumation in Indian law. - Exhumations are ordered based on the investigative needs, not arbitrary short deadlines. *One year* - This time limit is **not stipulated** in Indian legal provisions for exhumation. - The decision to exhume is made on a case-by-case basis, considering factors like the preservation status of the body and the potential evidentiary value. *Ten years* - There is **no fixed legal period** like ten years limiting exhumations in India. - The decaying state of a body over an extended period might reduce its forensic value, but technically, exhumation can still be ordered if deemed necessary for justice.

Q: Immersion syndrome is also known as?

Hydrocution. ***Hydrocution*** - **Immersion syndrome**, or hydrocution, is a sudden death that occurs immediately upon immersion in cold water. - It is believed to be caused by a **vasovagal reflex** triggered by the sudden temperature change, leading to cardiac arrest. *Wet drowning* - This term refers to conventional drowning where an individual inhales water, leading to respiratory compromise and death. - It is characterized by the presence of **fluid in the lungs**, which is not the primary mechanism in immersion syndrome. *Dry drowning* - **Dry drowning** occurs when water does not enter the lungs; instead, the glottis spasms and closes, preventing air and water from entering. - This leads to suffocation, often hours after the initial water exposure, and is distinct from the immediate cardiac event of immersion syndrome. *Secondary drowning* - **Secondary drowning**, or delayed drowning, refers to complications that arise hours or days after a near-drowning incident due to inhaled water causing pulmonary edema. - It involves a delayed physiological response rather than an immediate reflex.

Q: Miscarriage due to medical negligence is seen under which IPC?

Sec 304A IPC. ***Sec 304A IPC*** - This section specifically deals with **causing death by negligence** (rash or negligent acts not amounting to culpable homicide). - **Medical negligence causing miscarriage** falls under this section as it involves an unintentional harm due to negligent medical practice. - This is the appropriate section when there is no voluntary intent to cause miscarriage, but harm results from professional negligence. *Sec 312 IPC* - This section deals with **voluntarily causing miscarriage**, requiring intentional/voluntary act. - It applies when a person **intentionally** causes a woman to miscarry (criminal abortion). - Medical **negligence** does not constitute a voluntary act in the legal sense, so Sec 312 does not apply to negligence cases. *Sec 310 IPC* - This section is related to **thuggee**, defining someone who habitually commits robbery or child-stealing by murder. - It has no relevance to medical negligence or miscarriage. *Sec 314 IPC* - This section deals with **death caused by an act done with intent to cause miscarriage**. - It applies when an intentional act to cause miscarriage results in the death of the woman. - This requires criminal intent, not negligence.

Q: What does Gettler's test detect?

Chloride content of blood in drowning. ***Chloride content of blood in drowning*** - Gettler's test is a classical forensic test used to determine whether a death occurred by **drowning** in fresh or saltwater. - It specifically measures the **difference in chloride concentrations** between the left and right sides of the heart; the principle being that water entering the lungs during drowning will alter electrolyte balance, especially chloride, in the blood of the left ventricle relative to the right. *Diatoms in drowning* - The presence of **diatoms** (microscopic algae) in tissues and organs is another indicator of drowning, but it is detected through specific microscopic examination and not Gettler's test. - Diatom testing aims to prove that the deceased was alive and breathing in the water, allowing the inhalation of diatoms into the systemic circulation. *Weight in drowning* - **Weight** measurements are not directly related to Gettler's test or used as a primary diagnostic tool for drowning itself. - While fluid absorption may slightly increase body weight, it's not a reliable or specific indicator. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because Gettler's test specifically targets the **chloride content of blood** in potential drowning cases. - The test leverages the physiological changes in electrolyte distribution that occur when a person aspirates water.

Q: Which of the following statements about Platauf's hemorrhages is correct?

Subpleural hemorrhage. ***Subpleural hemorrhage*** - **Platauf's hemorrhages** are **defined as subpleural hemorrhages** found on the surface of the lungs, particularly in cases of **asphyxial death** related to drowning. - This is the **most accurate and specific statement** as it describes the **pathological nature** of Platauf's hemorrhages. - These hemorrhages result from the rupture of small capillaries due to sudden increase in intrathoracic pressure and aspiration of water during drowning. - They appear as **small petechial hemorrhages** on the **anterior, lateral, and inferior surfaces** of the lungs. *Mostly seen in middle lobe* - This is **incorrect**. Platauf's hemorrhages can occur in **any lobe** of the lungs, not specifically the middle lobe. - They are more commonly described as being present on the **anterior and lateral margins** and **inferior surfaces** of the lungs, regardless of lobe. *All are true* - This statement is **incorrect** because the statement about the middle lobe is false, making "All are true" false. *Sign of drowning* - While this statement has merit, it is **less specific** than "subpleural hemorrhage." - Platauf's hemorrhages are indeed **strongly associated with drowning** and are considered one of the **internal findings in drowning deaths**. - However, they are **not absolutely pathognomonic** - they can occasionally be seen in other forms of acute asphyxia or conditions involving severe acute pulmonary congestion. - The **defining characteristic** is that they are **subpleural hemorrhages**, which is a more precise pathological description than calling them simply a "sign of drowning." - Therefore, when asked "which statement is correct," the **most accurate and specific answer** is "Subpleural hemorrhage."

Q: What is the most common type of drowning in India?

Accidental. ***Accidental*** - Accidental drowning is the most common type because it can occur in various situations, such as during **bathing**, **swimming**, **boating**, or falling into bodies of water due to **unforeseen circumstances** or **lack of supervision**. - This category encompasses a wide range of scenarios, including **children falling into wells** or other water sources, and adults being swept away by **flooding rivers** or **tsunamis**. *Suicidal* - While suicidal drownings do occur, they are **statistically less common** than accidental drownings in the general population. - Suicide by drowning generally involves an **intentional act** to end one's life, which is less frequent than unintentional water-related deaths. *Homicidal* - Homicidal drowning, where an individual is drowned by another person, is **rare** compared to accidental deaths. - This type of drowning often involves **evidence of struggle** or other injuries, making it a distinct but uncommon cause of death. *Infanticide* - Infanticide by drowning refers to the **intentional killing of an infant** through submersion in water. - While a tragic act, incidents of infanticide by drowning are **very low in number** compared to overall accidental drownings involving all age groups.

Q: What is the term for sexual intercourse between closely related individuals?

Incest. ***Incest*** - This term refers to **sexual activity** between individuals who are considered **too closely related** to marry or have sexual relations within a particular society's laws or customs. - The definition of closeness can vary culturally and legally, but it generally includes immediate family members like parents, children, and siblings. - Under Indian law (IPC Section 376), incestuous relationships are prohibited and can constitute sexual offenses. *Extramarital affair* - This describes sexual relations between a **married person** and someone who is **not their spouse**. - It does not necessarily involve closely related individuals; the key aspect is the breach of marital fidelity. - This is a social/moral term rather than specifically a forensic classification. *Bestiality* - This refers to sexual activity between a **human and an animal**, also known as **zoophilia**. - This is distinct from incest, which specifically concerns human-to-human sexual relations within a family. - Under IPC Section 377, this was considered an unnatural offense. *Tribadism* - This describes various forms of **sexual intimacy between women**, particularly non-penetrative activity. - This term does not involve familial relationships or biological closeness as defined by incest. - It is a descriptive term for a type of sexual behavior, not a classification of prohibited relationships.

Question 1

What is the term used for choking of the respiratory passage by a bolus of food?

Accepted Answer

Cafe Coronary

Answer

Gagging

Answer

Choking due to obstruction

Answer

Suffocation due to food

Question 2

What is the diagnostic sign of antemortem drowning?

Accepted Answer

Paltauf's hemorrhage

Answer

Emphysema aquosum

Answer

Water in esophagus

Answer

Weeds and grass in clenched hands

Question 3

What is the time limit for exhumation in India?

Accepted Answer

No specific time limit

Answer

One year

Answer

Ten years

Answer

One month

Question 4

Immersion syndrome is also known as?

Accepted Answer

Hydrocution

Answer

Wet drowning

Answer

Dry drowning

Answer

Secondary drowning

Question 5

Miscarriage due to medical negligence is seen under which IPC?

Accepted Answer

Sec 304A IPC

Answer

Sec 310 IPC

Answer

Sec 312 IPC

Answer

Sec 314 IPC

Question 6

What is meant by blanket consent in a medical context?

Accepted Answer

Taken at the time of admission for routine medical procedures

Answer

Oral consent

Answer

Written consent

Answer

When the patient comes to doctor for treatment

Question 7

What does Gettler's test detect?

Accepted Answer

Chloride content of blood in drowning

Answer

Diatoms in drowning

Answer

Weight in drowning

Answer

None of the options

Question 8

Which of the following statements about Platauf's hemorrhages is correct?

Accepted Answer

Subpleural hemorrhage

Answer

All are true

Answer

Mostly seen in middle lobe

Answer

Sign of drowning

Question 9

What is the most common type of drowning in India?

Accepted Answer

Accidental

Answer

Suicidal

Answer

Homicidal

Answer

Infanticide

Question 10

What is the term for sexual intercourse between closely related individuals?

Accepted Answer

Incest

Answer

Extramarital affair

Answer

Bestiality

Answer

Tribadism

NEET-PG 2013 — Forensic Medicine