Identification: skull-photo superimposition: 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 · Identification: skull-photo superimposition

Sample item

A skull is found in a field and the family suggests it belongs to a woman missing for two years. They have a clear frontal photograph of her face. Which technique compares the two directly?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Photographic or video superimposition of the skull over the facial photograph

In superimposition, the skull image is overlaid on an ante-mortem photograph of the same size and orientation, and landmarks such as the orbits, nasal aperture, teeth and chin are compared. It is more valuable for excluding than for proving identity. It requires a good quality photograph.

Option by option

  • A. Photographic or video superimposition of the skull over the facial photograph (correct)

    Correct. Superimposition matches skull landmarks with the facial photograph.

  • B. Bertillonage of the skull

    Bertillonage used body measurements of living people and is obsolete.

  • C. Greulich and Pyle atlas comparison

    The Greulich and Pyle atlas estimates age from hand and wrist radiographs.

  • D. Gustafson's method of dental ageing

    Gustafson's method estimates age from tooth changes, not identity from a photograph.

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.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Photographic or video superimposition of the skull over the facial photograph. In superimposition, the skull image is overlaid on an ante-mortem photograph of the same size and orientation, and landmarks such as the orbits, nasal aperture, teeth and chin are compared.

Why is "Bertillonage of the skull" not the answer?

Bertillonage used body measurements of living people and is obsolete.

Why is "Greulich and Pyle atlas comparison" not the answer?

The Greulich and Pyle atlas estimates age from hand and wrist radiographs.

Why is "Gustafson's method of dental ageing" not the answer?

Gustafson's method estimates age from tooth changes, not identity from a photograph.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Identification: skull-photo superimposition in Forensic Medicine. It is more valuable for excluding than for proving identity. It requires a good quality photograph.

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 Identification: skull-photo superimposition?

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.