Identification: collecting evidence from a bite mark: 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: collecting evidence from a bite mark

Sample item

A bite mark is found on the breast of a murder victim. Which evidence from the mark is most readily lost if the area is washed or handled, and should be collected early?

AA wax bite registration of the suspectBHistology of the bruised skinCA cast of the suspect's teethDSaliva on the skin, swabbed for DNA typing

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Saliva on the skin, swabbed for DNA typing

Saliva deposited at the bite can carry the biter's DNA, but it dries and is removed easily, so it is swabbed from the skin early, with a moistened swab followed by a dry swab. Photography with a scale and impressions follow. Casts of a suspect's teeth can be taken at any time.

Option by option

A. A wax bite registration of the suspect
A wax bite registration is taken from the suspect, not from the victim's skin.
B. Histology of the bruised skin
Histology of bruised skin is not affected by washing and can be done later.
C. A cast of the suspect's teeth
A cast of the suspect's teeth can be obtained later and is not lost by washing the victim.
D. Saliva on the skin, swabbed for DNA typing (correct)
Correct. Saliva is perishable and can give a DNA profile of the biter.

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, Saliva on the skin, swabbed for DNA typing. Saliva deposited at the bite can carry the biter's DNA, but it dries and is removed easily, so it is swabbed from the skin early, with a moistened swab followed by a dry swab.

Why is "A wax bite registration of the suspect" not the answer?

A wax bite registration is taken from the suspect, not from the victim's skin.

Why is "Histology of the bruised skin" not the answer?

Histology of bruised skin is not affected by washing and can be done later.

Why is "A cast of the suspect's teeth" not the answer?

A cast of the suspect's teeth can be obtained later and is not lost by washing the victim.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Identification: collecting evidence from a bite mark in Forensic Medicine. Photography with a scale and impressions follow. Casts of a suspect's teeth can be taken at any time.

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: collecting evidence from a bite mark?

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.