Identification Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following fingerprint pattern is shown below?

Whorl. ***Whorl*** - A **whorl pattern** is characterized by ridges that make a complete circuit, often forming a spiral or concentric circles around a central point, as clearly seen in the image. - It typically has **two deltas** and a core, which distinguishes it from loop and arch patterns. *Ulnar loop* - In an ulnar loop, the ridges enter from one side of the finger, form a **loop**, and exit towards the **ulnar side** (little finger side) of the hand. - It has **only one delta** and a core, which is not consistent with the pattern shown. *Radial loop* - In a radial loop, the ridges enter from one side, form a **loop**, and exit towards the **radial side** (thumb side) of the hand. - Similar to the ulnar loop, it has **only one delta** and a core, which is not what is depicted in the image. *Plain arch* - A plain arch is the simplest pattern, characterized by ridges that enter from one side, rise in the center (forming a **wave-like** or **tent-like shape**), and exit on the opposite side. - It completely **lacks deltas**, cores, or loops, which is distinctly different from the given image.

Q: The abandoned body of a fetus was found in a dustbin. What is the approximate age of the fetus?

7 months. ***7 months*** - The image shows a fetus with **fused eyelids**, visible **lanugo** (fine hair all over the body), and developing but still wrinkled skin, which are characteristic features seen at approximately **7 months (28 weeks) of gestation**. - At this age, the fetus is considered **viable** and has a significant chance of survival outside the womb with medical intervention. *4 months* - A fetus at **4 months** (16 weeks) would be much smaller, typically around 10-12 cm in length, and would not display the developed features seen in the image. - While **lanugo** begins to appear, the body would appear less developed and often more translucent compared to the pictured fetus. - The **eyelids remain fused** at this stage. *5 months* - By **5 months** (20 weeks), the fetus is larger (around 15-20 cm), and lanugo becomes more prominent, but the **eyelids are still fused** and it looks less developed compared to the image. - The skin would still appear very thin and translucent with visible blood vessels, which is not as pronounced in the image. *6 months* - At **6 months** (24 weeks), the fetus is gaining weight, and some fat deposition begins, but the skin is often still quite wrinkled and red due to the absence of significant subcutaneous fat. - The **eyelids are still fused or just beginning to open**, and while significant development has occurred, the overall developmental features suggest a slightly older fetus.

Q: Which is the most common type of finger print pattern? (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

B. ***B*** - Pattern B exhibits a **loop** design, where ridges enter from one side of the finger, recurve, and exit from the same side. - **Loops** are the **most common type of fingerprint pattern**, accounting for approximately 60-70% of all fingerprints. *A* - Pattern A shows an **arch** design, characterized by ridges that enter from one side, rise in the middle, and exit on the opposite side without recurving. - **Arches** are the **least common fingerprint pattern**, found in about 5% of individuals. *C* - Pattern C displays a **whorl** design, specifically a central pocket loop or a plain whorl, where ridges form circular or spiral patterns around a central point. - **Whorls** are the second most common pattern, occurring in roughly 25-35% of fingerprints. *D* - Pattern D also represents a **whorl** pattern, similar to C. This can be either a double loop whorl or an accidental whorl depending on the exact configuration of multiple loops or irregular patterns. - While whorls are significant, they are less frequent than loops.

Q: Comment on age of the male patient:

12-14 years. ***12-14 years*** - The radiographs show **open growth plates** (epiphyseal lines) in both the shoulder (A) and elbow (B), indicating the individual is still growing. - The presence of well-developed secondary ossification centers and significant but not fully fused physes is consistent with a male in the **mid-pubertal** range, typically observed between 12-14 years. *5-7 years* - At this age, many **secondary ossification centers** would just be appearing or still quite small, and the growth plates would be much wider and less defined than seen in the images. - The degree of skeletal maturation evident in the shoulder and elbow in the images surpasses that of a 5-7 year old. *17-19 years* - By this age, most **growth plates** in males, especially in key joints like the shoulder and elbow, would be largely **fused** or in the final stages of fusion. - The distinct open physes seen in both images rule out this age range, as significant growth is still occurring. *>25 years* - In an individual over 25 years, **all growth plates** would be completely **fused**, and there would be no visible epiphyseal lines. - The presence of clear, open growth plates in the images definitively excludes an adult age.

Q: From medicolegal point of view which one of the following is NOT a sign of previous child birth?

Conical cervix with round external os. ***Conical cervix with round external os*** - A **conical cervix with a round external os** is characteristic of a **nulliparous woman** (never given birth). - After childbirth, the cervix typically becomes **transversely slit-like** due to the dilation during labor. *Introitus is gaping and there is presence of carunculae myrtiformis* - A **gaping introitus** is a common finding after childbirth due to the stretching and relaxation of the **vaginal outlet**. - **Carunculae myrtiformes** are remnants of the hymen that are usually fragmented during vaginal delivery. *Abdomen is lax and loose with striae and linea nigra* - **Lax and loose abdominal skin**, along with the presence of **striae gravidarum** (stretch marks) and a prominent **linea nigra** (hyperpigmented line), are classic signs of a previous pregnancy and childbirth. - These changes result from the significant stretching of the abdominal wall during uterine enlargement. *Perineum is lax and there is evidence of scarring* - A **lax perineum** indicates loss of tone in the pelvic floor muscles, which commonly occurs after vaginal delivery. - **Perineal scarring** can be a result of episiotomy or perineal tears sustained during childbirth.

Q: 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?

Knee and wrist. ***Knee and wrist*** - **Bone age determination** using hand/wrist and knee radiographs is a standard method for estimating skeletal maturity across a wide age range, including late adolescence. - The **epiphyseal fusion** in these joints provides reliable indicators for age estimation up to and slightly beyond 18 years, particularly the **distal radius, ulna, and knee epiphyses**. *Head & shoulder* - While glenohumeral fusion occurs later, **skull sutures** are not reliable for precise age estimation in this age group, and shoulder fusion may not be as precise as wrist/knee for this specific age. - The **skull and shoulder** are generally not the primary sites chosen for age estimation in late adolescence due to less distinct and less consistent markers compared to other joints. *Elbow and ankle* - Although the elbow and ankle joints undergo fusion, the **wrist and knee provide a more comprehensive and widely validated set of ossification centers** for age estimation in the 16-18 year old range. - While useful, these sites may not offer the same level of detailed assessment for skeletal maturity as the combination of **wrist and knee**. *Elbow & hip* - **Hip fusion** (e.g., ilium, ischium, pubis) happens relatively early, making it less useful for distinguishing between 16 and 18 years old. - The **elbow alone** may not provide sufficient distinct markers for accurate age estimation in this specific late adolescent age group, unlike the wrist, which has multiple carpal and epiphyseal centers.

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.

Q: During identification of severely decomposed remains, which of the following methods provides the most reliable means of positive identification?

DNA analysis. ***DNA analysis*** - **DNA analysis** remains viable even in significantly degraded samples due to the stability and uniqueness of the genetic code, making it the most reliable method for positive identification of severely decomposed remains. - It provides a definitive match that is **scientifically verifiable** and rarely subject to error when compared to ante-mortem samples or close relatives. *Birthmarks* - **Birthmarks** are soft tissue characteristics that often degrade or become indistinguishable in severely decomposed remains. - Their presence and appearance can change over time or be obscured by **decomposition processes**, making them unreliable for identification in such cases. *Facial features* - **Facial features** rapidly deteriorate and distort after death, especially in severely decomposed remains, making visual recognition impossible. - The soft tissues of the face are among the first to undergo **autolysis** and putrefaction. *Personal effects* - While **personal effects** (like jewelry or clothing) can provide circumstantial evidence, they do not offer positive identification of the individual's remains. - These items can be easily lost, misplaced, or exchanged, and they do not directly identify the **biological individual**.

Q: The local district magistrate's court has asked your opinion regarding a paternity dispute. The alleged father is B+ and the mother is AB+. Which of the following groups would not be possible in their offspring?

O. ***O*** - For a child to have blood type O, they must inherit an **'O' allele from both parents**. - Since the mother has blood type AB, she possesses only **'A' and 'B' alleles** and cannot pass on an 'O' allele. *A* - The alleged father (B+) can have genotypes BO or BB for the A/B alleles. The mother (AB+) has genotype AB. - If the father is BO and the mother is AB, there is a possibility of an **A allele** from the mother and an **O allele** from the father combining to produce an A blood type child. *B* - The father is B+ and can pass on a **B allele**. The mother is AB+ and can also pass on a **B allele**. - Therefore, a child with blood type B is a possible outcome. *AB* - The father (B+) can pass on a **B allele**. The mother (AB+) can pass on an **A allele**. - The combination of an A allele from the mother and a B allele from the father would result in an **AB blood type** child, making this a possible outcome.

Question 1

Which of the following fingerprint pattern is shown below?

Accepted Answer

Whorl

Answer

Ulnar loop

Answer

Radial loop

Answer

Plain arch

Question 2

The abandoned body of a fetus was found in a dustbin. What is the approximate age of the fetus?

Accepted Answer

7 months

Answer

4 months

Answer

5 months

Answer

6 months

Question 3

Which of the following about hair/fibers is correct?

Accepted Answer

A= Animal hair, B= Human hair, C= Cotton fiber, D= Wool fiber

Answer

A= Cotton fiber, B= Human hair, C= Animal hair, D= Wool fiber

Answer

A= Animal hair, B= Human hair, C= Wool fiber, D= Cotton fiber

Answer

A= Human hair, B= Animal hair, C= Cotton fiber, D= Wool fiber

Question 4

Which is the most common type of finger print pattern? (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Accepted Answer

B

Answer

C

Answer

A

Answer

D

Question 5

Comment on age of the male patient:

Accepted Answer

12-14 years

Answer

5-7 years

Answer

17-19 years

Answer

>25 years

Question 6

From medicolegal point of view which one of the following is NOT a sign of previous child birth?

Accepted Answer

Conical cervix with round external os

Answer

Introitus is gaping and there is presence of carunculae myrtiformis

Answer

Perineum is lax and there is evidence of scarring

Answer

Abdomen is lax and loose with striae and linea nigra

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 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 9

During identification of severely decomposed remains, which of the following methods provides the most reliable means of positive identification?

Accepted Answer

DNA analysis

Answer

Birthmarks

Answer

Facial features

Answer

Personal effects

Question 10

The local district magistrate's court has asked your opinion regarding a paternity dispute. The alleged father is B+ and the mother is AB+. Which of the following groups would not be possible in their offspring?

Accepted Answer

O

Answer

A

Answer

B

Answer

AB

Identification — MCQs

Identification — MCQs

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