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.

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Forensic Medicine · Postmortem changes

Sample item

Why can postmortem lividity be useful in scene reconstruction?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. It may reflect body position while blood was mobile

Lividity develops in dependent areas while blood remains fluid; a mismatch with current position can suggest movement after death.

Option by option

  • A. It proves a particular poison

    It is not poison-specific.

  • B. It determines a person's age

    Age cannot be determined from lividity.

  • C. It precisely identifies a weapon

    Lividity does not identify weapon.

  • D. It may reflect body position while blood was mobile (correct)

    Correct: distribution can reveal prior dependent position.

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.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, It may reflect body position while blood was mobile. Lividity develops in dependent areas while blood remains fluid; a mismatch with current position can suggest movement after death.

Why is "It proves a particular poison" not the answer?

It is not poison-specific.

Why is "It determines a person's age" not the answer?

Age cannot be determined from lividity.

Why is "It precisely identifies a weapon" not the answer?

Lividity does not identify weapon.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postmortem changes in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: distribution can reveal prior dependent position.

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.