Disaster victim identification: 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 · Disaster victim identification

Sample item

Which practice best supports disaster victim identification after a mass-casualty event?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Use standardized antemortem and postmortem data comparison

Disaster victim identification uses standardized comparison of antemortem and postmortem data, including dental, fingerprint, and DNA evidence when appropriate.

Option by option

  • A. Issue identity documents before confirmation

    Documents should follow confirmed identification processes.

  • B. Combine remains from different recovery sites

    Mixing remains destroys crucial identification evidence.

  • C. Use standardized antemortem and postmortem data comparison (correct)

    Correct: systematic comparison provides defensible identification.

  • D. Rely only on visual recognition by relatives

    Visual recognition alone can be unreliable after disasters.

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.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Use standardized antemortem and postmortem data comparison. Disaster victim identification uses standardized comparison of antemortem and postmortem data, including dental, fingerprint, and DNA evidence when appropriate.

Why is "Issue identity documents before confirmation" not the answer?

Documents should follow confirmed identification processes.

Why is "Combine remains from different recovery sites" not the answer?

Mixing remains destroys crucial identification evidence.

Why is "Rely only on visual recognition by relatives" not the answer?

Visual recognition alone can be unreliable after disasters.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Disaster victim identification in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: systematic comparison provides defensible identification.

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 Disaster victim identification?

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.