Thanatology: distribution of lividity in suspension: 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 · Thanatology: distribution of lividity in suspension

Sample item

A man is found dead, completely suspended by a ligature, and is cut down about 10 hours later. Where would the fixed lividity be expected to appear if the body was left hanging during that time?

AUniformly over the trunk and thighsBFace and front of the neck onlyCLower legs, feet, hands and distal forearmsDBack, buttocks and posterior thighs

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lower legs, feet, hands and distal forearms

Hypostasis settles in the lowest parts of the body in the position of death. In a body hanging vertically, blood collects in the legs, feet, hands and distal forearms, a glove and stocking distribution. A lividity pattern on the back would suggest the body lay supine for hours, so the pattern can show whether a body was moved.

Option by option

A. Uniformly over the trunk and thighs
A uniform trunk pattern is not produced by gravity in an upright body.
B. Face and front of the neck only
Face and neck congestion is due to the ligature and is not post-mortem hypostasis.
C. Lower legs, feet, hands and distal forearms (correct)
Correct. Blood pools in the lowest parts when the body hangs vertically.
D. Back, buttocks and posterior thighs
This pattern would be found if the body lay supine after death.

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, Lower legs, feet, hands and distal forearms. Hypostasis settles in the lowest parts of the body in the position of death.

Why is "Uniformly over the trunk and thighs" not the answer?

A uniform trunk pattern is not produced by gravity in an upright body.

Why is "Face and front of the neck only" not the answer?

Face and neck congestion is due to the ligature and is not post-mortem hypostasis.

Why is "Back, buttocks and posterior thighs" not the answer?

This pattern would be found if the body lay supine after death.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology: distribution of lividity in suspension in Forensic Medicine. In a body hanging vertically, blood collects in the legs, feet, hands and distal forearms, a glove and stocking distribution. A lividity pattern on the back would suggest the body lay supine for hours, so the pattern can show whether a body was moved.

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: distribution of lividity in suspension?

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.