Asphyxial deaths: saliva dribbling in hanging: 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: saliva dribbling in hanging

Sample item

At scene inspection of a hanging body, a stream of saliva is seen running from the angle of the mouth down the chin and chest. This finding indicates:

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. The ligature was applied during life

Dribbling of saliva from the angle of the mouth, running vertically down the chin and neck, is a vital sign in hanging. Compression of the neck stimulates the salivary glands during life, so it supports ante-mortem hanging. It is absent in post-mortem suspension.

Option by option

  • A. The body was hanged after death

    In a body hanged after death no vital salivary secretion occurs.

  • B. Death occurred from poisoning

    Saliva dribbling is not diagnostic of poisoning.

  • C. The ligature was applied during life (correct)

    Correct. It is an ante-mortem sign produced by pressure on the neck.

  • D. Drowning preceded the hanging

    Drowning is not suggested by saliva at the angle of the mouth.

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 C, The ligature was applied during life. Dribbling of saliva from the angle of the mouth, running vertically down the chin and neck, is a vital sign in hanging.

Why is "The body was hanged after death" not the answer?

In a body hanged after death no vital salivary secretion occurs.

Why is "Death occurred from poisoning" not the answer?

Saliva dribbling is not diagnostic of poisoning.

Why is "Drowning preceded the hanging" not the answer?

Drowning is not suggested by saliva at the angle of the mouth.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: saliva dribbling in hanging in Forensic Medicine. Compression of the neck stimulates the salivary glands during life, so it supports ante-mortem hanging. It is absent in post-mortem suspension.

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: saliva dribbling in hanging?

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.