Injury interpretation: 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 · Injury interpretation

Sample item

What feature best distinguishes a stab wound from an incised wound?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Depth greater than surface length

A stab wound is produced by a pointed sharp instrument and is typically deeper than its surface length, unlike a longer superficial incised wound.

Option by option

  • A. Sharp-force mechanism

    Both are caused by sharp force.

  • B. Clean regular edges

    Both wounds can have clean edges.

  • C. Depth greater than surface length (correct)

    Correct: depth exceeding length is the classic distinction.

  • D. Absence of tissue bridges

    Both lack tissue bridges.

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, Depth greater than surface length. A stab wound is produced by a pointed sharp instrument and is typically deeper than its surface length, unlike a longer superficial incised wound.

Why is "Sharp-force mechanism" not the answer?

Both are caused by sharp force.

Why is "Clean regular edges" not the answer?

Both wounds can have clean edges.

Why is "Absence of tissue bridges" not the answer?

Both lack tissue bridges.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Injury interpretation in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: depth exceeding length is the classic distinction.

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 Injury interpretation?

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.