Thanatology: 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

Sample item

Instantaneous muscle stiffening at the moment of death that fixes the last act, for example grasping weeds in drowning, is called:

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Cadaveric spasm

Cadaveric spasm affects only a group of muscles and is seen in sudden deaths with intense emotion. It is of medico-legal value because it indicates the last act and often suggests suicide or drowning.

Option by option

  • A. Cold stiffening

    Cold stiffening is due to freezing of body fat and fluids.

  • B. Cadaveric spasm (correct)

    Correct.

  • C. Rigor mortis

    Rigor mortis sets in over hours and involves all muscles.

  • D. Heat stiffening

    Heat stiffening is coagulation of proteins by heat, as in burns.

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 B, Cadaveric spasm. Cadaveric spasm affects only a group of muscles and is seen in sudden deaths with intense emotion.

Why is "Cold stiffening" not the answer?

Cold stiffening is due to freezing of body fat and fluids.

Why is "Rigor mortis" not the answer?

Rigor mortis sets in over hours and involves all muscles.

Why is "Heat stiffening" not the answer?

Heat stiffening is coagulation of proteins by heat, as in burns.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology in Forensic Medicine. It is of medico-legal value because it indicates the last act and often suggests suicide or drowning.

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?

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.