Asphyxia: burking: 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 · Asphyxia: burking

Sample item

A drunken old man is found dead with only minimal marks on the face and chest wall. The history suggests the assailant lay across his chest while covering his mouth and nose. This method is known as:

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Burking

Burking combines smothering with compression of the chest, named after Burke and Hare, who killed victims this way and sold the bodies. It leaves few external signs, and victims are often intoxicated. Chest compression prevents the respiratory movements needed to fight the smothering.

Option by option

  • A. Garrotting

    Garrotting is strangulation with a cord or wire from behind.

  • B. Mugging

    Mugging is a stranglehold with the forearm around the neck.

  • C. Bansdola

    Bansdola is neck compression by bamboo sticks.

  • D. Burking (correct)

    Correct. Burking is smothering with chest compression.

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 D, Burking. Burking combines smothering with compression of the chest, named after Burke and Hare, who killed victims this way and sold the bodies.

Why is "Garrotting" not the answer?

Garrotting is strangulation with a cord or wire from behind.

Why is "Mugging" not the answer?

Mugging is a stranglehold with the forearm around the neck.

Why is "Bansdola" not the answer?

Bansdola is neck compression by bamboo sticks.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxia: burking in Forensic Medicine. It leaves few external signs, and victims are often intoxicated. Chest compression prevents the respiratory movements needed to fight the smothering.

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 Asphyxia: burking?

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.