Identification: disaster victim 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: disaster victim identification

Sample item

After an air crash with fragmented and burnt bodies, which set of methods are the primary identifiers under the Interpol disaster victim identification guidelines?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Fingerprints, dental findings and DNA

Interpol DVI guidelines name three primary identifiers, fingerprints, forensic odontology and DNA, because they are individual and objectively comparable. Visual recognition, personal effects, clothing and medical findings are secondary identifiers and support but do not alone confirm identity.

Option by option

  • A. Tattoos, scars and clothing

    Tattoos, scars and clothing are secondary identifiers.

  • B. Height, hair colour and personal effects

    Height, hair colour and effects are descriptive and not individual enough to be primary.

  • C. Fingerprints, dental findings and DNA (correct)

    Fingerprints, teeth and DNA are the three primary identifiers.

  • D. Jewellery, documents and blood group

    Jewellery, documents and blood group are secondary or supportive and can be misattributed or shared.

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 C, Fingerprints, dental findings and DNA. Interpol DVI guidelines name three primary identifiers, fingerprints, forensic odontology and DNA, because they are individual and objectively comparable.

Why is "Tattoos, scars and clothing" not the answer?

Tattoos, scars and clothing are secondary identifiers.

Why is "Height, hair colour and personal effects" not the answer?

Height, hair colour and effects are descriptive and not individual enough to be primary.

Why is "Jewellery, documents and blood group" not the answer?

Jewellery, documents and blood group are secondary or supportive and can be misattributed or shared.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Identification: disaster victim identification in Forensic Medicine. Visual recognition, personal effects, clothing and medical findings are secondary identifiers and support but do not alone confirm identity.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: disaster victim 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.