NEET-PG 2024 - Forensic Medicine PYQs Practice Questions

Q: What is the sequence of rigor mortis in the human body?

Head to foot. ***Head to foot*** - Rigor mortis follows **Nysten's Law**, progressing in a **descending pattern** from head to feet. - Begins in smaller muscles with higher metabolic activity: **masseter (jaw), eyelids, and facial muscles** (2-4 hours post-mortem). - Then progresses to **neck → upper extremities → trunk → lower extremities** (completing over 12 hours). - This sequence relates to muscle size, ATP depletion rates, and surface area-to-volume ratios. *Centre to periphery* - This pattern does **not accurately describe** rigor mortis progression. - While smaller muscles are affected first, the progression follows a **craniocaudal (head-to-foot) direction**, not a radial center-to-periphery pattern. - The anatomical distribution is vertically sequential, not centrifugal. *Foot to head* - This is the **opposite of the established progression** described by Nysten's Law. - Lower extremity muscles develop rigor mortis **last**, not first. - This would contradict classic forensic pathology observations. *Simultaneously* - Rigor mortis is a **time-dependent sequential process**, not simultaneous. - Different muscle groups deplete ATP and accumulate calcium at **varying rates over several hours**. - The progressive nature (2-4 hours onset, 12 hours peak, 36-48 hours resolution) demonstrates it cannot be simultaneous. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: From a medico-legal perspective, in cases of sexual assault involving a female victim, what type of court proceeding is typically used to record medical evidence and testimony to protect the victim's privacy?

In camera proceedings. ***In camera proceedings*** - **In camera proceedings** (Latin for "in chambers") refer to court hearings conducted in **private**, with the public and media excluded, to protect the victim's privacy and dignity. - Under **Section 327(2) of CrPC**, cases of sexual offences against women must be conducted in camera to prevent further trauma and ensure the victim can provide testimony comfortably. - This legal provision ensures **confidentiality** of victim identity and prevents public disclosure of sensitive medical evidence and testimony. - The proceedings are still officially recorded and form part of the legal record, but occur in a closed, private setting. *Open court proceedings* - **Open court proceedings** allow public and media access, which would severely compromise the victim's privacy and cause additional psychological trauma. - Such public exposure is specifically prohibited in sexual assault cases under Indian law to protect the **victim's identity** and well-being. *Closed court proceedings* - While this term might seem similar, **"closed court"** is not the standard legal terminology used in Indian jurisprudence for sexual assault cases. - The specific term **"in camera"** is used in Section 327 CrPC and judicial pronouncements, making it the precise medico-legal answer. *Hearing at a different location* - Changing the location does not inherently provide the **legal framework** for privacy protection that in camera proceedings mandate. - This option lacks the formal legal status and procedural safeguards that Section 327 CrPC provides through in camera hearings. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Police brought a person from a railway track with features of dry dilated pupils, dry skin, slurred speech, and altered sensorium. What is the most likely cause of poisoning?

Datura. ***Datura*** - **Datura poisoning** presents with anticholinergic symptoms including **dry dilated pupils**, **dry skin**, **tachycardia**, altered mental status (**altered sensorium**), and **slurred speech**. - The classic mnemonic "hot as a hare, blind as a bat, dry as a bone, red as a beet, mad as a hatter" describes the systemic effects of **anticholinergic toxidrome**. *Morphine* - **Opioid poisoning**, such as with morphine, typically causes **pinpoint pupils**, **respiratory depression**, and **CNS depression**. - Skin is usually **cool and clammy**, not dry. *Cannabis* - **Cannabis intoxication** typically causes **conjunctival injection** (red eyes), **tachycardia**, increased appetite, and euphoria or anxiety. - While it can alter perception, it generally does not lead to significantly **dilated pupils**, dry skin, or profound slurred speech in the manner seen with anticholinergics. *Alcohol* - **Alcohol intoxication** leads to **CNS depression**, slurred speech, ataxia, and sometimes nausea/vomiting. - **Pupils** are typically normal or slightly constricted, and the skin is often flushed and warm, not significantly dry or pale. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: A child was born 8 months after the father's death. The grandparents filed a case claiming that the baby is not their son's, but DNA testing confirmed paternity. What is the child called?

Posthumous child. ***Posthumous child*** - A **posthumous child** is one born after the death of its father. - In most legal systems, such a child is considered an heir and has rights equivalent to those born before the father's death, especially after paternity is confirmed. *Suppositious child* - A **suppositious child** is one who is falsely substituted for another, typically with the intent to defraud or claim an inheritance under false pretenses. - This term does not apply here as paternity was confirmed by DNA testing, indicating the child is genuinely linked to the deceased father. *Fabricated child* - The term **fabricated child** implies the child does not exist or was created through fraudulent means, often in the context of false claims or elaborate schemes. - In this scenario, the child is real and paternity has been verified, making "fabricated" an inaccurate description. *Illegitimate child* - An **illegitimate child** is historically defined as one born outside of marriage between its biological parents. - While the father died before the child's birth, the question does not provide information about the parents' marital status, and the term primarily refers to marital legality rather than the circumstances of the father's death. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Examination of a suspicious stain shows the following finding. Which test is being depicted? ![img-21.jpeg](img-21.jpeg)

Takayama test. ***Takayama test*** - The image shows **pinkish, feathery crystals** that are diagnostic of **hemochromogen crystals (heme crystals)**, which are produced in the presence of hemoglobin during the Takayama test. - This test is a confirmatory test for the presence of **blood** and is more sensitive than the Teichmann test, especially with older stains. *Teichmann test* - This test also detects blood by forming **hemin crystals** (dark brown rhomboid crystals) from hemoglobin, but the morphology in the image does not match these. - The Teichmann test can be less reliable with **older or degraded bloodstains** compared to the Takayama test. *Barberio's test* - The Barberio's test is used for the detection of **spermine**, a component of seminal fluid, by forming **yellow, needle-like crystals** with picric acid. - This test is not used for blood detection, and the crystal morphology is distinct from what is shown. *Florence test* - The Florence test is another presumptive test for the presence of **spermine** in seminal fluid, producing **dark-brown, rhombic crystals** when iodine solution is added. - Like the Barberio's test, it is not designed to detect blood, and the crystal appearance is different. [Practice more Forensic Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

What is the sequence of rigor mortis in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Head to foot

Answer

Centre to periphery

Answer

Foot to head

Answer

Simultaneously

Question 2

From a medico-legal perspective, in cases of sexual assault involving a female victim, what type of court proceeding is typically used to record medical evidence and testimony to protect the victim's privacy?

Accepted Answer

In camera proceedings

Answer

Open court proceedings

Answer

Closed court proceedings

Answer

Hearing at a different location

Question 3

Police brought a person from a railway track with features of dry dilated pupils, dry skin, slurred speech, and altered sensorium. What is the most likely cause of poisoning?

Accepted Answer

Datura

Answer

Morphine

Answer

Cannabis

Answer

Alcohol

Question 4

A child was born 8 months after the father's death. The grandparents filed a case claiming that the baby is not their son's, but DNA testing confirmed paternity. What is the child called?

Accepted Answer

Posthumous child

Answer

Suppositious child

Answer

Fabricated child

Answer

Illegitimate child

Question 5

Examination of a suspicious stain shows the following finding. Which test is being depicted?
![img-21.jpeg](img-21.jpeg)

Accepted Answer

Takayama test

Answer

Florence test

Answer

Teichmann test

Answer

Barberio's test

Question 6

The dead body shows the following finding as seen in the image. What is the most likely cause of death?

Accepted Answer

Hanging

Answer

Throttling

Answer

Choking

Answer

Smothering

Question 7

In a medicolegal examination, an 18-year-old male claims he is 16 years old. Which joint X-ray should be done to estimate his age?

Accepted Answer

Knee and wrist

Answer

Head & shoulder

Answer

Elbow and ankle

Answer

Elbow & hip

Question 8

A 14-year-old victim of sexual assault with 22 weeks gestation has been brought for Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP). Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

MTP can be carried out up to 24 weeks

Answer

One doctor is involved

Answer

MTP done in 2nd trimester only when mother's life is in danger

Answer

MTP cannot be more than 20 weeks

Question 9

Which of the following is true regarding adipocere formation?

Accepted Answer

Preservation by saponification

Answer

High temperature needed

Answer

Cool and dry climate needed

Answer

Occurs within minutes to hours

Question 10

Who orders the autopsy in the case of a Road Traffic Accident (RTA)?

Accepted Answer

B. Police

Answer

A. Forensic expert

Answer

C. Lawyer

Answer

D. Forensic doctor

NEET-PG 2024 — Forensic Medicine