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

A body is recovered from a waterlogged ditch after several months. The tissues are grey-white, greasy and waxy. Which statement best describes this change?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Adipocere, due to hydrolysis and hydrogenation of body fat

Adipocere is a waxy, greasy transformation of body fat into fatty acids and their salts, seen in damp or waterlogged conditions. It preserves the body contours and may help identification.

Option by option

  • A. Maceration, due to aseptic softening of a retained dead foetus

    Maceration refers to aseptic softening of a foetus that dies in utero in liquor amnii.

  • B. Mummification, due to desiccation in a hot dry environment

    Mummification dries the tissues and needs a dry, warm, well-aerated setting, which a waterlogged ditch does not offer.

  • C. Putrefaction, due to anaerobic bacterial breakdown with greenish discolouration and gas

    Putrefaction produces gas, greenish discolouration and liquefaction rather than a firm, waxy appearance.

  • D. Adipocere, due to hydrolysis and hydrogenation of body fat (correct)

    Correct. Moist, warm surroundings favour conversion of body fat into a waxy substance.

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 D, Adipocere, due to hydrolysis and hydrogenation of body fat. Adipocere is a waxy, greasy transformation of body fat into fatty acids and their salts, seen in damp or waterlogged conditions.

Why is "Maceration, due to aseptic softening of a retained dead foetus" not the answer?

Maceration refers to aseptic softening of a foetus that dies in utero in liquor amnii.

Why is "Mummification, due to desiccation in a hot dry environment" not the answer?

Mummification dries the tissues and needs a dry, warm, well-aerated setting, which a waterlogged ditch does not offer.

Why is "Putrefaction, due to anaerobic bacterial breakdown with greenish disc…" not the answer?

Putrefaction produces gas, greenish discolouration and liquefaction rather than a firm, waxy appearance.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology in Forensic Medicine. It preserves the body contours and may help identification.

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.