Toxicology: Reinsch test: 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.

Try it

Forensic Medicine · Toxicology: Reinsch test

Sample item

A screening test for heavy metals in stomach contents is done by boiling a clean copper strip in the acidified sample. The strip acquires a dark grey-black deposit. Which test is this?

ADragendorff testBMarsh testCKastle-Meyer testDReinsch test

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Reinsch test

In the Reinsch test, metals such as arsenic, antimony, mercury and bismuth are deposited on bright copper in an acid medium. It is a screening test and a positive result must be confirmed by a specific method. The Marsh test uses nascent hydrogen to detect arsenic, the Kastle-Meyer test detects blood, and the Dragendorff reagent detects alkaloids.

Option by option

A. Dragendorff test
The Dragendorff reagent is used to detect alkaloids.
B. Marsh test
The Marsh test generates arsine from zinc and acid and gives a mirror in a heated tube.
C. Kastle-Meyer test
The Kastle-Meyer test is a colour test for blood.
D. Reinsch test (correct)
Correct. A coloured deposit on copper in acid is the Reinsch test.

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 D, Reinsch test. In the Reinsch test, metals such as arsenic, antimony, mercury and bismuth are deposited on bright copper in an acid medium.

Why is "Dragendorff test" not the answer?

The Dragendorff reagent is used to detect alkaloids.

Why is "Marsh test" not the answer?

The Marsh test generates arsine from zinc and acid and gives a mirror in a heated tube.

Why is "Kastle-Meyer test" not the answer?

The Kastle-Meyer test is a colour test for blood.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: Reinsch test in Forensic Medicine. It is a screening test and a positive result must be confirmed by a specific method. The Marsh test uses nascent hydrogen to detect arsenic, the Kastle-Meyer test detects blood, and the Dragendorff reagent detects alkaloids.

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 Toxicology: Reinsch test?

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.