Identification: 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 · Identification

Sample item

Skeletal remains are found, and nuclear DNA cannot be obtained, but a maternal relative is available. Which DNA analysis is most suitable for identification?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing

Mitochondrial DNA is present in many copies per cell, resists degradation and is inherited maternally without recombination. It is therefore suitable for degraded remains and matching to maternal relatives, although it cannot distinguish individuals within the same maternal line.

Option by option

  • A. Y-chromosome analysis of the maternal aunt

    A maternal aunt has no Y chromosome, so Y analysis is not possible.

  • B. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing (correct)

    Correct. Maternal inheritance and high copy number make it suitable.

  • C. Blood group typing

    Blood group typing is non-specific and cannot be done on old bone.

  • D. Karyotyping of the bone marrow

    Karyotyping needs living dividing cells and is not an identification method for remains.

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, Mitochondrial DNA sequencing. Mitochondrial DNA is present in many copies per cell, resists degradation and is inherited maternally without recombination.

Why is "Y-chromosome analysis of the maternal aunt" not the answer?

A maternal aunt has no Y chromosome, so Y analysis is not possible.

Why is "Blood group typing" not the answer?

Blood group typing is non-specific and cannot be done on old bone.

Why is "Karyotyping of the bone marrow" not the answer?

Karyotyping needs living dividing cells and is not an identification method for remains.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Identification in Forensic Medicine. It is therefore suitable for degraded remains and matching to maternal relatives, although it cannot distinguish individuals within the same maternal line.

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 Identification?

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.