Asphyxial deaths: plastic bag suffocation: 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: plastic bag suffocation

Sample item

A 70-year-old woman with terminal cancer is found dead with a plastic bag over her head tied loosely at the neck, with no signs of struggle. Autopsy shows only non-specific congestion. Which statement is correct about determining the manner of death?

AFine petechiae on the neck skin prove homicideBA negative toxicology result proves homicideCThe autopsy findings are often non-specific, so scene and circumstantial evidence guide the mannerDA loosely tied bag excludes suicide

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. The autopsy findings are often non-specific, so scene and circumstantial evidence guide the manner

Suffocation with a plastic bag leaves few or no specific autopsy signs, so the diagnosis rests on the scene, the bag, a note and medical history. Such deaths are often suicidal in the elderly or ill, but a bag can also be used in homicide of a helpless victim, so the evidence must be integrated.

Option by option

A. Fine petechiae on the neck skin prove homicide
Petechiae are non-specific, occurring in many asphyxial and some non-asphyxial deaths, and do not prove homicide.
B. A negative toxicology result proves homicide
Toxicology cannot show homicide when it is negative.
C. The autopsy findings are often non-specific, so scene and circumstantial evidence guide the manner (correct)
Correct. Non-specific findings mean the circumstances determine the manner.
D. A loosely tied bag excludes suicide
A loosely tied bag does not exclude self-application.

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.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, The autopsy findings are often non-specific, so scene and circumstantial evidence guide the manner. Suffocation with a plastic bag leaves few or no specific autopsy signs, so the diagnosis rests on the scene, the bag, a note and medical history.

Why is "Fine petechiae on the neck skin prove homicide" not the answer?

Petechiae are non-specific, occurring in many asphyxial and some non-asphyxial deaths, and do not prove homicide.

Why is "A negative toxicology result proves homicide" not the answer?

Toxicology cannot show homicide when it is negative.

Why is "A loosely tied bag excludes suicide" not the answer?

A loosely tied bag does not exclude self-application.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: plastic bag suffocation in Forensic Medicine. Such deaths are often suicidal in the elderly or ill, but a bag can also be used in homicide of a helpless victim, so the evidence must be integrated.

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 Asphyxial deaths: plastic bag suffocation?

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.