Thanatology: preservation of the body by poison: 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 · Thanatology: preservation of the body by poison

Sample item

A body exhumed 18 months after burial, on suspicion of poisoning, is found remarkably well preserved, with intact hair, nails and organs, while neighbouring graves show advanced decomposition. Which poison is most likely to have been used?

AStrychnineBAconiteCBarbiturateDArsenic

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Arsenic

Arsenic, and to a lesser extent antimony and some other heavy metals, delays putrefaction because the metal is deposited in tissues and inhibits bacterial growth. Persistent preservation of an exhumed body therefore raises suspicion of arsenic, and hair and nails are sampled for analysis.

Option by option

A. Strychnine
Strychnine does not preserve tissues and is destroyed in decomposing viscera.
B. Aconite
Aconite is a plant alkaloid and does not delay putrefaction.
C. Barbiturate
Barbiturates do not inhibit decomposition.
D. Arsenic (correct)
Correct. Arsenic retards putrefaction and is retained in hair and nails.

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, Arsenic. Arsenic, and to a lesser extent antimony and some other heavy metals, delays putrefaction because the metal is deposited in tissues and inhibits bacterial growth.

Why is "Strychnine" not the answer?

Strychnine does not preserve tissues and is destroyed in decomposing viscera.

Why is "Aconite" not the answer?

Aconite is a plant alkaloid and does not delay putrefaction.

Why is "Barbiturate" not the answer?

Barbiturates do not inhibit decomposition.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology: preservation of the body by poison in Forensic Medicine. Persistent preservation of an exhumed body therefore raises suspicion of arsenic, and hair and nails are sampled for analysis.

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 Thanatology: preservation of the body by poison?

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.