Asphyxial deaths: 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

Sample item

Which finding is most consistent with postmortem submersion rather than drowning?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Absence of supportive airway and internal findings despite immersion

Immersion alone does not prove drowning; the diagnosis requires integration of scene information, autopsy findings, and exclusion of other causes.

Option by option

  • A. Water on the skin only

    Wet skin only proves contact with water.

  • B. Fine persistent airway froth alone

    Froth alone is nonspecific.

  • C. Dependent lividity only

    Lividity occurs in all deaths.

  • D. Absence of supportive airway and internal findings despite immersion (correct)

    Correct: lack of corroborating findings requires alternative causes.

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 D, Absence of supportive airway and internal findings despite immersion. Immersion alone does not prove drowning; the diagnosis requires integration of scene information, autopsy findings, and exclusion of other causes.

Why is "Water on the skin only" not the answer?

Wet skin only proves contact with water.

Why is "Fine persistent airway froth alone" not the answer?

Froth alone is nonspecific.

Why is "Dependent lividity only" not the answer?

Lividity occurs in all deaths.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: lack of corroborating findings requires alternative causes.

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?

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.