Asphyxial deaths: floating of drowned body: 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: floating of drowned body

Sample item

A drowned man's body sinks soon after entering warm river water but is found floating on day 3. Which explanation is correct?

APutrefactive gases accumulate in tissues and cavities and lower the body densityBWater is expelled from the lungs after deathCThe body fat dissolves into the waterDRigor mortis traps air in the lungs

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Putrefactive gases accumulate in tissues and cavities and lower the body density

A drowned body is slightly denser than water and sinks initially. Bacterial putrefaction produces gas in the abdomen and tissues, lowering the density until the body rises, usually within a few days in warm weather and later in cold water. The time of surfacing is a rough indicator of time since death.

Option by option

A. Putrefactive gases accumulate in tissues and cavities and lower the body density (correct)
Correct. Decomposition gas gives buoyancy.
B. Water is expelled from the lungs after death
Water is not expelled from lungs to increase buoyancy.
C. The body fat dissolves into the water
Fat does not dissolve in water in this way.
D. Rigor mortis traps air in the lungs
Rigor does not trap air and passes off in time.

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 A, Putrefactive gases accumulate in tissues and cavities and lower the body density. A drowned body is slightly denser than water and sinks initially.

Why is "Water is expelled from the lungs after death" not the answer?

Water is not expelled from lungs to increase buoyancy.

Why is "The body fat dissolves into the water" not the answer?

Fat does not dissolve in water in this way.

Why is "Rigor mortis traps air in the lungs" not the answer?

Rigor does not trap air and passes off in time.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: floating of drowned body in Forensic Medicine. Bacterial putrefaction produces gas in the abdomen and tissues, lowering the density until the body rises, usually within a few days in warm weather and later in cold water. The time of surfacing is a rough indicator of time since death.

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: floating of drowned body?

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.