Thanatology: post-mortem caloricity: 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 · Thanatology: post-mortem caloricity

Sample item

A rectal temperature taken soon after death is higher than the body temperature just before death. In which cause of death is this post-mortem rise in temperature most likely to be seen?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Heat stroke

Post-mortem caloricity is a rise in body temperature after death, seen in heat stroke, tetanus, cholera and some septicaemias. It is due to continued heat production by the muscles and bacteria, with heat loss impaired after death. In massive haemorrhage, cold and starvation the body is already cool and cools faster.

Option by option

  • A. Massive haemorrhage

    Exsanguination produces early and rapid cooling.

  • B. Heat stroke (correct)

    Correct. In heat stroke heat production continues while the body cannot dissipate it.

  • C. Starvation

    Starved bodies with little fat and muscle cool faster than usual.

  • D. Death by cold exposure

    Exposure to cold lowers the body temperature further after death.

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 B, Heat stroke. Post-mortem caloricity is a rise in body temperature after death, seen in heat stroke, tetanus, cholera and some septicaemias.

Why is "Massive haemorrhage" not the answer?

Exsanguination produces early and rapid cooling.

Why is "Starvation" not the answer?

Starved bodies with little fat and muscle cool faster than usual.

Why is "Death by cold exposure" not the answer?

Exposure to cold lowers the body temperature further after death.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology: post-mortem caloricity in Forensic Medicine. It is due to continued heat production by the muscles and bacteria, with heat loss impaired after death. In massive haemorrhage, cold and starvation the body is already cool and cools faster.

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 Thanatology: post-mortem caloricity?

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.