Asphyxial deaths: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Asphyxial deaths

Sample item

Which neck finding is more typical of hanging than manual strangulation?

AMultiple fingertip bruises over the throatBAn oblique ligature mark that rises toward the suspension pointCHorizontal bruising with deep neck muscle injuryDDiffuse facial trauma without a neck mark

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. An oblique ligature mark that rises toward the suspension point

In hanging, the ligature mark commonly runs obliquely upward toward the point of suspension, unlike the more horizontal mark of ligature strangulation.

Option by option

A. Multiple fingertip bruises over the throat
Fingertip bruising may occur with manual strangulation.
B. An oblique ligature mark that rises toward the suspension point (correct)
Correct: an upward oblique mark is characteristic of suspension.
C. Horizontal bruising with deep neck muscle injury
Deep muscle injury and horizontal bruising are more concerning for strangulation.
D. Diffuse facial trauma without a neck mark
Facial trauma alone cannot establish a hanging mechanism.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is B, An oblique ligature mark that rises toward the suspension point. In hanging, the ligature mark commonly runs obliquely upward toward the point of suspension, unlike the more horizontal mark of ligature strangulation.

Why is "Multiple fingertip bruises over the throat" not the answer?

Fingertip bruising may occur with manual strangulation.

Why is "Horizontal bruising with deep neck muscle injury" not the answer?

Deep muscle injury and horizontal bruising are more concerning for strangulation.

Why is "Diffuse facial trauma without a neck mark" not the answer?

Facial trauma alone cannot establish a hanging mechanism.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: an upward oblique mark is characteristic of suspension.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Asphyxial deaths?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.