Postmortem changes: 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.

Try it

Forensic Medicine · Postmortem changes

Sample item

Which postmortem change is caused by drying of exposed mucosal surfaces?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Tache noire on exposed sclera

Tache noire is brown-black drying of exposed sclera when eyelids remain partly open after death, reflecting desiccation rather than trauma.

Option by option

  • A. Adipocere formation

    Adipocere is fat transformation in moist settings.

  • B. Tache noire on exposed sclera (correct)

    Correct: scleral desiccation produces tache noire.

  • C. Generalized rigor mortis

    Rigor is muscle stiffening.

  • D. Fixed dependent lividity

    Lividity is dependent blood settling.

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, Tache noire on exposed sclera. Tache noire is brown-black drying of exposed sclera when eyelids remain partly open after death, reflecting desiccation rather than trauma.

Why is "Adipocere formation" not the answer?

Adipocere is fat transformation in moist settings.

Why is "Generalized rigor mortis" not the answer?

Rigor is muscle stiffening.

Why is "Fixed dependent lividity" not the answer?

Lividity is dependent blood settling.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postmortem changes in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: scleral desiccation produces tache noire.

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 Postmortem changes?

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.