Asphyxial deaths: neck dissection technique: 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: neck dissection technique

Sample item

A suspected strangulation case is being autopsied. At what stage and how should the neck be dissected to avoid artefacts?

AAfter the chest only, without removing the brainBNot required if a ligature mark is visibleCFirst, before the cranium is openedDLast, after the brain and chest organs are removed, in a bloodless field and layer by layer

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Last, after the brain and chest organs are removed, in a bloodless field and layer by layer

In asphyxial deaths the neck is dissected last, after removal of the brain and thoracic organs, so that blood drains from the neck and artefactual haemorrhage is avoided. Dissection is layer by layer, examining muscles, hyoid and larynx for bruising. Skipping the neck can miss the key findings.

Option by option

A. After the chest only, without removing the brain
Leaving the brain in place keeps the neck veins full of blood and produces artefacts.
B. Not required if a ligature mark is visible
Internal neck findings are needed even when an external mark is present.
C. First, before the cranium is opened
Dissecting first can produce artefactual haemorrhages from congested vessels.
D. Last, after the brain and chest organs are removed, in a bloodless field and layer by layer (correct)
Correct. A bloodless field and layered dissection prevent false haemorrhages.

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 D, Last, after the brain and chest organs are removed, in a bloodless field and layer by layer. In asphyxial deaths the neck is dissected last, after removal of the brain and thoracic organs, so that blood drains from the neck and artefactual haemorrhage is avoided.

Why is "After the chest only, without removing the brain" not the answer?

Leaving the brain in place keeps the neck veins full of blood and produces artefacts.

Why is "Not required if a ligature mark is visible" not the answer?

Internal neck findings are needed even when an external mark is present.

Why is "First, before the cranium is opened" not the answer?

Dissecting first can produce artefactual haemorrhages from congested vessels.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: neck dissection technique in Forensic Medicine. Dissection is layer by layer, examining muscles, hyoid and larynx for bruising. Skipping the neck can miss the key findings.

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: neck dissection technique?

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.