Identification: palatal rugae: 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 · Identification: palatal rugae

Sample item

A badly burnt, edentulous body is brought for identification. The lips and cheeks are charred but the palate is protected. Which feature may help with identification?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Palatal rugae (rugoscopy)

Palatal rugae are individual ridges behind the incisive papilla. They stay stable after development, are shielded by the lips, cheeks and tongue, and resist heat, so a palate cast or record can be compared with an ante-mortem one. They are useful when teeth are absent.

Option by option

  • A. Colour of the gingiva

    Gingival colour is not stable or individual and is destroyed by burning.

  • B. Palatal rugae (rugoscopy) (correct)

    Correct. Rugae are protected and constant, so they can help when teeth are missing.

  • C. Pattern of the dental caries

    Caries patterns need teeth, and the body is edentulous.

  • D. Number of erupted third molars

    Third molars are teeth and are absent here.

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 B, Palatal rugae (rugoscopy). Palatal rugae are individual ridges behind the incisive papilla.

Why is "Colour of the gingiva" not the answer?

Gingival colour is not stable or individual and is destroyed by burning.

Why is "Pattern of the dental caries" not the answer?

Caries patterns need teeth, and the body is edentulous.

Why is "Number of erupted third molars" not the answer?

Third molars are teeth and are absent here.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Identification: palatal rugae in Forensic Medicine. They stay stable after development, are shielded by the lips, cheeks and tongue, and resist heat, so a palate cast or record can be compared with an ante-mortem one. They are useful when teeth are absent.

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 Identification: palatal rugae?

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.