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 pathologist wants to estimate time since death in the first day or two using a biochemical measurement. Which is the most useful?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Vitreous potassium level

After death potassium leaks from cells into the vitreous humour at a fairly steady rate, so its concentration rises with time and is relatively protected from early post-mortem changes. This helps estimate the post-mortem interval.

Option by option

  • A. Blood urea nitrogen

    Blood urea nitrogen stays stable after death and does not track time.

  • B. Blood alcohol concentration

    Blood alcohol reflects intake and metabolism, not time since death.

  • C. Serum creatinine

    Serum creatinine remains stable and does not help.

  • D. Vitreous potassium level (correct)

    Vitreous potassium rises progressively after death, making it a time indicator.

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 D, Vitreous potassium level. After death potassium leaks from cells into the vitreous humour at a fairly steady rate, so its concentration rises with time and is relatively protected from early post-mortem changes.

Why is "Blood urea nitrogen" not the answer?

Blood urea nitrogen stays stable after death and does not track time.

Why is "Blood alcohol concentration" not the answer?

Blood alcohol reflects intake and metabolism, not time since death.

Why is "Serum creatinine" not the answer?

Serum creatinine remains stable and does not help.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology in Forensic Medicine. This helps estimate the post-mortem interval.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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.