Asphyxial deaths: burking: 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.

Try it

Forensic Medicine · Asphyxial deaths: burking

Sample item

An elderly intoxicated vagrant is found dead. The assailant had knelt on the victim's chest while closing the nose and mouth with a hand. Which combination describes this method of homicide?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Burking, combining smothering with compression of the chest

Burking, named after Burke of the Burke and Hare murders, combines smothering by closure of the mouth and nose with compression of the chest, giving asphyxia with little external injury. Findings may include abrasions around the mouth and nose and rib or sternal injuries. The victims are usually drunk, elderly or very young.

Option by option

  • A. Burking, combining smothering with compression of the chest (correct)

    Correct. Smothering plus chest compression is burking.

  • B. Garrotting, combining ligature and smothering

    Garrotting is tightening a cord around the neck and is not smothering.

  • C. Mugging, combining forearm compression and drowning

    Mugging does not involve drowning.

  • D. Bansdola, combining ligature and chest compression

    Bansdola is neck compression with bamboo and does not involve closing the airway at the face.

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 A, Burking, combining smothering with compression of the chest. Burking, named after Burke of the Burke and Hare murders, combines smothering by closure of the mouth and nose with compression of the chest, giving asphyxia with little external injury.

Why is "Garrotting, combining ligature and smothering" not the answer?

Garrotting is tightening a cord around the neck and is not smothering.

Why is "Mugging, combining forearm compression and drowning" not the answer?

Mugging does not involve drowning.

Why is "Bansdola, combining ligature and chest compression" not the answer?

Bansdola is neck compression with bamboo and does not involve closing the airway at the face.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: burking in Forensic Medicine. Findings may include abrasions around the mouth and nose and rib or sternal injuries. The victims are usually drunk, elderly or very young.

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: burking?

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.