Thanatology: shifting of hypostasis: 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: shifting of hypostasis

Sample item

At autopsy a body lying supine shows lividity on the back that does not blanch on pressure, and a second, paler patch on the front of the trunk that does blanch. What does this indicate?

AAnte-mortem bruising on both surfacesBAsphyxial congestion of the whole bodyCThe body was moved to a different position after the back lividity had become fixedDCarbon monoxide staining of the skin

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. The body was moved to a different position after the back lividity had become fixed

Lividity is mobile for the first hours and then becomes fixed once haemolysed pigment stains the tissue. Fixed lividity on the back with a fresh patch on the front means the body lay supine first and was later turned. This helps to detect moving of a body after death.

Option by option

A. Ante-mortem bruising on both surfaces
Bruises are raised, do not blanch and show blood in the tissue, unlike blanching lividity.
B. Asphyxial congestion of the whole body
Asphyxial congestion does not produce two lividity patterns of differing fixity.
C. The body was moved to a different position after the back lividity had become fixed (correct)
Correct. Fixed back lividity with a blanching frontal patch shows the position was changed after fixation.
D. Carbon monoxide staining of the skin
Carbon monoxide gives a uniform cherry red colour and does not explain differing fixity.

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 C, The body was moved to a different position after the back lividity had become fixed. Lividity is mobile for the first hours and then becomes fixed once haemolysed pigment stains the tissue.

Why is "Ante-mortem bruising on both surfaces" not the answer?

Bruises are raised, do not blanch and show blood in the tissue, unlike blanching lividity.

Why is "Asphyxial congestion of the whole body" not the answer?

Asphyxial congestion does not produce two lividity patterns of differing fixity.

Why is "Carbon monoxide staining of the skin" not the answer?

Carbon monoxide gives a uniform cherry red colour and does not explain differing fixity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology: shifting of hypostasis in Forensic Medicine. Fixed lividity on the back with a fresh patch on the front means the body lay supine first and was later turned. This helps to detect moving of a body after death.

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: shifting of hypostasis?

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.