Asphyxial deaths: manner in ligature strangulation: 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 · Asphyxial deaths: manner in ligature strangulation

Sample item

A woman is found dead with a horizontal, complete, deep furrow encircling the neck at the level of the thyroid cartilage and a cord lying beside the body. Considering how such deaths usually occur, what is the commonest manner of death?

ASuicideBAccidentCHomicideDJudicial execution

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Homicide

Ligature strangulation is mostly homicidal, and the ligature mark is usually horizontal and complete at or below the thyroid cartilage. Suicidal and accidental ligature strangulation are uncommon. In contrast, hanging is mostly suicidal and drowning is mostly accidental.

Option by option

A. Suicide
Suicide by ligature strangulation is rare because consciousness is lost before sufficient tightness can be maintained.
B. Accident
Accidental strangulation is uncommon and usually involves clothing caught in machinery.
C. Homicide (correct)
Correct. Homicide is by far the commonest manner of ligature strangulation.
D. Judicial execution
Judicial execution uses hanging in India, not ligature strangulation.

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, Homicide. Ligature strangulation is mostly homicidal, and the ligature mark is usually horizontal and complete at or below the thyroid cartilage.

Why is "Suicide" not the answer?

Suicide by ligature strangulation is rare because consciousness is lost before sufficient tightness can be maintained.

Why is "Accident" not the answer?

Accidental strangulation is uncommon and usually involves clothing caught in machinery.

Why is "Judicial execution" not the answer?

Judicial execution uses hanging in India, not ligature strangulation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: manner in ligature strangulation in Forensic Medicine. Suicidal and accidental ligature strangulation are uncommon. In contrast, hanging is mostly suicidal and drowning is mostly accidental.

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 Asphyxial deaths: manner in ligature strangulation?

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.