Forensic toxicology: chain of custody: 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 · Forensic toxicology: chain of custody

Sample item

What is the purpose of maintaining chain of custody for a forensic specimen?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Documenting continuous possession and handling to preserve evidentiary integrity

Chain of custody records who collected, handled, transferred, and stored a specimen. It helps demonstrate that the analyzed sample is the same one obtained and was protected from tampering.

Option by option

  • A. Documenting continuous possession and handling to preserve evidentiary integrity (correct)

    Correct. Documentation protects the evidentiary reliability of the specimen.

  • B. Replacing laboratory analysis

    Laboratory testing remains necessary.

  • C. Determining the manner of death automatically

    Manner of death requires wider medico-legal evaluation.

  • D. Increasing the concentration of the substance

    Chain of custody does not alter specimen concentration.

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 A, Documenting continuous possession and handling to preserve evidentiary integrity. Chain of custody records who collected, handled, transferred, and stored a specimen.

Why is "Replacing laboratory analysis" not the answer?

Laboratory testing remains necessary.

Why is "Determining the manner of death automatically" not the answer?

Manner of death requires wider medico-legal evaluation.

Why is "Increasing the concentration of the substance" not the answer?

Chain of custody does not alter specimen concentration.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Forensic toxicology: chain of custody in Forensic Medicine. It helps demonstrate that the analyzed sample is the same one obtained and was protected from tampering.

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 Forensic toxicology: chain of custody?

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.