NEET-PG 2014 - Forensic Medicine Practice Questions

Q: Major bacterial enzyme responsible for putrefaction:

Protease. ***Protease*** - **Proteases** break down **proteins** into smaller peptides and amino acids, a key process in **putrefaction** (decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms). - Bacterial proteases are essential for the degradation of **tissue proteins** post-mortem, contributing to the characteristic odor and liquefaction of decaying bodies. *Metalloproteinase* - **Metalloproteinases** are a specific class of proteases that require a **metal ion** (usually zinc) for their catalytic activity. - While they contribute to protein degradation, the general term **protease** encompasses all enzymes involved in protein breakdown during putrefaction, making it a broader and more accurate answer. *Hyaluronidase* - **Hyaluronidase** breaks down **hyaluronic acid**, a main component of the **extracellular matrix**, aiding in bacterial invasion and spread. - Its primary role is in **tissue penetration** rather than the bulk decomposition of proteins characteristic of putrefaction. *Collagenase* - **Collagenase** specifically targets **collagen**, the most abundant protein in the body, breaking it down into smaller peptides. - While important for degrading a major structural protein, it is a specific type of protease, and the general term **protease** better describes the overall enzymatic activity responsible for putrefaction.

Q: Which of the following may be seen in an exit wound?

Everted edges. ***Everted edges*** - The force of the projectile exiting the body pushes tissue outwards, causing the wound edges to **evert**, or turn outward. - This is a hallmark feature of an **exit wound**, distinguishing it from an entry wound. *Tattooing* - **Tattooing** (or stippling) refers to embedded gunpowder particles in the skin, which occurs when a weapon is fired at close range. - This is seen around **entry wounds**, not exit wounds, as the projectile has already passed through the body. *Inverted edges* - **Inverted edges** (turned inward) are characteristic of **entry wounds**, where the projectile first punctures the skin, pushing tissue inward. - This is the opposite of what is seen in an exit wound. *Abrasion collar* - An **abrasion collar** (or contusion ring) is a circular abrasion around an **entry wound** caused by the projectile scraping against the skin as it enters. - It is not typically present in an exit wound as the skin is torn outwards rather than compressed by the entering projectile.

Q: Term cafe coronary was coined by:

Roger Haugen. ***Roger Haugen*** - The term "**cafe coronary**" was coined by **Dr. Roger Haugen** in 1963 to describe sudden, unexpected deaths occurring in public dining places, often mistaken for heart attacks. - This phenomenon is typically caused by **acute airway obstruction** from food, especially in individuals with **alcohol intoxication** or **poor dentition**. *Marie FX Bichat* - **Marie François Xavier Bichat** was a French anatomist and physiologist, often called the "**father of modern histology**." - He is known for classifying tissues based on their structure and function, not for coining terms related to choking. *Alphonse Beillon* - **Alphonse Beillon** is not widely recognized in medical history for coining significant medical terms or for major contributions to the understanding of emergent conditions like "cafe coronary." - This name does not align with the historical context of the term's origin. *Joseph Bell* - **Dr. Joseph Bell** was a Scottish surgeon and lecturer at the University of Edinburgh Medical School, known for his powers of observation and deduction, which inspired Arthur Conan Doyle's character **Sherlock Holmes**. - His contributions were primarily in clinical observation and teaching, not in coining terms related to choking deaths.

Q: Acrodynia, or Pink disease, occurs in poisoning with which of the following substances?

Mercury. ***Mercury*** - **Acrodynia**, also known as **Pink disease**, is a rare and severe form of **mercury poisoning**, primarily affecting infants and young children. - Key symptoms include **pinkish-red rash** on the hands and feet, hypertension, irritability, profuse sweating, and muscle weakness. *Lead* - **Lead poisoning** typically presents with symptoms such as **abdominal pain**, constipation, developmental delay, and a **lead line on the gums**. - It does not cause the characteristic rash or other symptoms associated with acrodynia. *Thallium* - **Thallium poisoning** is known for causing **hair loss (alopecia)**, excruciating neuropathic pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, and neurological symptoms. - While it is a neurotoxic heavy metal, its clinical picture is distinct from acrodynia. *Arsenic* - **Arsenic poisoning** can manifest with dermatological signs like **hyperpigmentation** and **hyperkeratosis**, as well as gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms. - It does not produce the pinkish rash, irritability, or hypertension typical of acrodynia.

Q: Bansdola is a form of strangulation by?

Sticks. ***Sticks*** - **Bansdola** is a specific term referring to a method of **strangulation using sticks** (typically bamboo). - This technique involves placing sticks on either side of the neck and twisting them together to occlude the airway and blood vessels. - The term comes from "bans" meaning bamboo in Hindi/Urdu. *Bend of elbow* - Strangulation by the **bend of the elbow** is not typically referred to as Bansdola. - This method would be a form of **manual strangulation** using a specific body part to compress the neck. *Hands* - Strangulation by **hands** is known as **manual strangulation** or **throttling**. - This involves direct compression of the neck structures using the fingers and thumbs, distinct from the stick-based method of Bansdola. *Ligature* - **Ligature strangulation** involves using a cord, rope, or other flexible material to constrict the neck. - While both methods use implements, the rigid nature of sticks in Bansdola differentiates it from flexible ligature materials.

Q: Diagnostic of antemortem drowning:

Paltaufs hemorrhage. ***Paltaufs hemorrhage*** - **Paltauf's hemorrhages** are **subpleural hemorrhages** that occur specifically due to **active water aspiration** during drowning, making them pathognomonic of antemortem drowning. - These hemorrhages require **vital reaction** and cannot occur in postmortem immersion, distinguishing antemortem drowning from bodies simply placed in water after death. *Presence of foreign material in clenched hands* - While foreign material in **clenched hands** suggests struggle and vital reaction, it can also be found in other circumstances and is not specific to drowning. - This finding may occur in various forms of **trauma** or struggle situations, making it less reliable as a definitive diagnostic sign of antemortem drowning. *Emphysema aquosum* - Refers to **lung overinflation** and fluid-filled alveoli, which can be seen in drowning but also occurs in other forms of **asphyxia**. - This finding is **non-specific** and cannot reliably distinguish between antemortem drowning and other causes of respiratory distress or asphyxial death. *Water in esophagus* - Water can be found in the **esophagus** and stomach in both antemortem drowning and **postmortem immersion**. - This finding lacks specificity as water can enter the digestive system passively after death when a body is submerged, making it unreliable for determining antemortem status.

Q: A 25-year-old person developed right corneal opacity following injury to the eye. Keratoplasty of right eye was done and vision was restored. Medico-legally such injury is:

Simple. ***Simple*** - The injury resulted in corneal opacity that was **successfully treated with keratoplasty and vision was restored**. - Under IPC Section 320, **grievous hurt** requires **permanent privation of sight**, not temporary visual impairment. - Since vision was restored after treatment, there is **no permanent damage**, making this a **simple injury**. - Simple injuries may require medical treatment and cause temporary incapacitation, but do not result in permanent impairment. *Grievous* - Grievous hurt under IPC Section 320 includes **permanent privation of the sight of either eye**. - The key word is **permanent** - since vision was restored after keratoplasty, the visual loss was temporary, not permanent. - This injury does not meet the criteria for grievous hurt despite requiring surgical intervention. *Dangerous* - "Dangerous" is not a specific medico-legal classification of injury under IPC Section 320. - This term may describe the potential severity but is not used to categorize injuries legally. *Non-grievous* - While technically correct (as non-grievous means not grievous), the proper legal term is **"simple injury"**. - In medico-legal practice, injuries are classified as either grievous or simple, not as "non-grievous".

Q: Graze is a form of:

Abrasion. ***Abrasion*** - A graze is a superficial injury resulting from friction against a rough surface, which is the definition of an **abrasion**. - It involves the **epidermis** and possibly the superficial dermis, characterized by scraping or rubbing off the skin's surface. *Contusion* - A contusion, or **bruise**, involves damage to blood vessels beneath the skin but without a break in the skin's surface. - It presents as discoloration due to blood extravasation, rather than a scraping injury. *Incised wound* - An incised wound is a **clean-cut injury** caused by a sharp object, leading to smooth edges and often significant bleeding. - It typically goes deeper than an abrasion and is not characterized by the scraping motion associated with a graze. *Lacerated wound* - A lacerated wound is an **irregular, jagged tear** in the skin caused by a blunt force trauma, often involving crushing or stretching of tissues. - Unlike a graze, it involves a deep, irregular tear and is not caused by superficial friction.

Q: Socrates was killed by which poison? (NEET 14)

Conium. ***Conium*** - **Socrates** was famously executed by being forced to drink a cup of **hemlock**, which is derived from the **poison hemlock plant**, *Conium maculatum*. - The active principle in **hemlock** that causes its toxic effects is **coniine**, a neurotoxic alkaloid that leads to ascending paralysis and respiratory failure. *Cyanide* - **Cyanide** is a rapid-acting poison that inhibits cellular respiration, leading to tissue hypoxia. - While a potent poison, it is not the substance historically documented as being used to execute **Socrates**. *Datura* - **Datura** species contain **tropane alkaloids** such as scopolamine and atropine, which cause anticholinergic effects like delirium, hallucinations, and tachycardia. - This plant's poison profile and historical evidence do not match the circumstances of **Socrates'** death. *Strychnine* - **Strychnine** is a highly toxic alkaloid that causes severe muscular spasms, convulsions, and ultimately respiratory arrest due to its action on glycine receptors in the spinal cord. - The symptoms associated with **Socrates'** death, primarily ascending paralysis, are not consistent with **strychnine** poisoning.

Question 1

Major bacterial enzyme responsible for putrefaction:

Accepted Answer

Protease

Answer

Metalloproteinase

Answer

Hyaluronidase

Answer

Collagenase

Question 2

Which of the following may be seen in an exit wound?

Accepted Answer

Everted edges

Answer

Tattooing

Answer

Inverted edges

Answer

Abrasion collar

Question 3

Term cafe coronary was coined by:

Accepted Answer

Roger Haugen

Answer

Marie FX Bichat

Answer

Alphonse Beillon

Answer

Joseph Bell

Question 4

Acrodynia, or Pink disease, occurs in poisoning with which of the following substances?

Accepted Answer

Mercury

Answer

Lead

Answer

Thallium

Answer

Arsenic

Question 5

Bansdola is a form of strangulation by?

Accepted Answer

Sticks

Answer

Bend of elbow

Answer

Hands

Answer

Ligature

Question 6

Diagnostic of antemortem drowning:

Accepted Answer

Paltaufs hemorrhage

Answer

Emphysema aquosum

Answer

Water in esophagus

Answer

Presence of foreign material in clenched hands

Question 7

A 25-year-old person developed right corneal opacity following injury to the eye. Keratoplasty of right eye was done and vision was restored. Medico-legally such injury is:

Accepted Answer

Simple

Answer

Dangerous

Answer

Grievous

Answer

Non-grievous

Question 8

Graze is a form of:

Accepted Answer

Abrasion

Answer

Contusion

Answer

Incised wound

Answer

Lacerated wound

Question 9

All of the following are features of somatic death, except:

Accepted Answer

Cessation of heart activity

Answer

Cessation of respiration

Answer

Non-responding muscles

Answer

No response to external stimuli

Question 10

Socrates was killed by which poison? (NEET 14)

Accepted Answer

Conium

Answer

Cyanide

Answer

Datura

Answer

Strychnine

NEET-PG 2014 — Forensic Medicine