Thanatology: 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 · Thanatology

Sample item

Which environment most favours adipocere formation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Moist oxygen-poor surroundings

Adipocere forms when body fat undergoes hydrolysis and hydrogenation in damp low-oxygen conditions, often in waterlogged soil or water.

Option by option

  • A. Hot dry air

    Hot dry conditions favour mummification.

  • B. Moist oxygen-poor surroundings (correct)

    Correct: moisture and low oxygen promote saponification.

  • C. Strong direct sunlight

    Sunlight alone does not produce adipocere.

  • D. Rapid freezing

    Freezing delays rather than promotes decomposition.

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.

More Forensic Medicine questions

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Moist oxygen-poor surroundings. Adipocere forms when body fat undergoes hydrolysis and hydrogenation in damp low-oxygen conditions, often in waterlogged soil or water.

Why is "Hot dry air" not the answer?

Hot dry conditions favour mummification.

Why is "Strong direct sunlight" not the answer?

Sunlight alone does not produce adipocere.

Why is "Rapid freezing" not the answer?

Freezing delays rather than promotes decomposition.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: moisture and low oxygen promote saponification.

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 Thanatology?

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.