Thanatology: postmortem imaging: 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: postmortem imaging

Sample item

In a death from a firearm injury, what is the main advantage of performing postmortem CT before the conventional autopsy?

AIt gives the time since death accuratelyBIt identifies poisons in the tissuesCIt makes histology unnecessary for diagnosing infarctionDIt locates projectiles, fragments and fractures without dissection

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. It locates projectiles, fragments and fractures without dissection

Postmortem CT (virtopsy) shows fractures, gas collections and the position of bullets or fragments before the body is opened, so the dissection can be planned. It does not replace histology or toxicology and cannot give the time since death.

Option by option

A. It gives the time since death accurately
CT does not provide an accurate time since death.
B. It identifies poisons in the tissues
Poisons are detected by toxicological analysis, not by CT.
C. It makes histology unnecessary for diagnosing infarction
Histology is still needed for microscopic diagnoses such as early infarction.
D. It locates projectiles, fragments and fractures without dissection (correct)
Correct. Imaging localises metallic and bony findings non-invasively.

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, It locates projectiles, fragments and fractures without dissection. Postmortem CT (virtopsy) shows fractures, gas collections and the position of bullets or fragments before the body is opened, so the dissection can be planned.

Why is "It gives the time since death accurately" not the answer?

CT does not provide an accurate time since death.

Why is "It identifies poisons in the tissues" not the answer?

Poisons are detected by toxicological analysis, not by CT.

Why is "It makes histology unnecessary for diagnosing infarction" not the answer?

Histology is still needed for microscopic diagnoses such as early infarction.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology: postmortem imaging in Forensic Medicine. It does not replace histology or toxicology and cannot give the time since death.

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: postmortem imaging?

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.