Asphyxial deaths: hanging: 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: hanging

Sample item

Which ligature-mark pattern more strongly supports hanging than ligature strangulation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. An oblique mark rising toward the knot

In hanging, the ligature mark often rises toward the suspension point and may be incomplete. Ligature strangulation more often produces a horizontal circumferential mark, though interpretation always requires context.

Option by option

  • A. A bruise confined to the chest

    Chest bruising is nonspecific.

  • B. A puncture wound in the neck

    A puncture wound is a separate injury type.

  • C. An oblique mark rising toward the knot (correct)

    Correct. An upward oblique mark is typical of hanging.

  • D. A horizontal complete neck mark

    A horizontal complete mark is more typical of ligature strangulation.

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 C, An oblique mark rising toward the knot. In hanging, the ligature mark often rises toward the suspension point and may be incomplete.

Why is "A bruise confined to the chest" not the answer?

Chest bruising is nonspecific.

Why is "A puncture wound in the neck" not the answer?

A puncture wound is a separate injury type.

Why is "A horizontal complete neck mark" not the answer?

A horizontal complete mark is more typical of ligature strangulation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: hanging in Forensic Medicine. Ligature strangulation more often produces a horizontal circumferential mark, though interpretation always requires context.

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: hanging?

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.