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 condition most slows putrefaction of a body?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Cold dry environment

Low temperature and dryness suppress bacterial activity and water-dependent decomposition, slowing putrefaction compared with warm moist conditions.

Option by option

  • A. Warm humid environment

    Warm humidity accelerates microbial breakdown.

  • B. Septicemia before death

    Septicemia can accelerate decomposition.

  • C. Cold dry environment (correct)

    Correct: cold and dryness inhibit decomposition.

  • D. Open abdominal wounds

    Open wounds permit bacterial access.

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, Cold dry environment. Low temperature and dryness suppress bacterial activity and water-dependent decomposition, slowing putrefaction compared with warm moist conditions.

Why is "Warm humid environment" not the answer?

Warm humidity accelerates microbial breakdown.

Why is "Septicemia before death" not the answer?

Septicemia can accelerate decomposition.

Why is "Open abdominal wounds" not the answer?

Open wounds permit bacterial access.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: cold and dryness inhibit decomposition.

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.