Injuries and wounds: demonstrating deep bruises: 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 · Injuries and wounds: demonstrating deep bruises

Sample item

In an alleged custodial beating, the back shows only faint surface marks. Which autopsy step best demonstrates deeper bruising?

AMultiple deep incisions through skin and subcutaneous tissue of the back and limbsBViewing the skin under ultraviolet light aloneCWashing the skin to remove post-mortem stainingDA plain radiograph of the back

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Multiple deep incisions through skin and subcutaneous tissue of the back and limbs

Bruises deep in the subcutaneous fat and muscle may be invisible on the surface. Layer-wise incisions expose extravasated blood, and are used when custodial violence is alleged. Imaging and surface methods do not show soft tissue bleeding reliably.

Option by option

A. Multiple deep incisions through skin and subcutaneous tissue of the back and limbs (correct)
Correct. Incising the tissues exposes blood that has infiltrated beneath unmarked skin.
B. Viewing the skin under ultraviolet light alone
Ultraviolet light of the surface does not reveal extravasated blood deep in the tissue.
C. Washing the skin to remove post-mortem staining
Washing removes surface debris and does not show bruises beneath the skin.
D. A plain radiograph of the back
A plain radiograph shows bone and does not show soft tissue bruising.

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 A, Multiple deep incisions through skin and subcutaneous tissue of the back and limbs. Bruises deep in the subcutaneous fat and muscle may be invisible on the surface.

Why is "Viewing the skin under ultraviolet light alone" not the answer?

Ultraviolet light of the surface does not reveal extravasated blood deep in the tissue.

Why is "Washing the skin to remove post-mortem staining" not the answer?

Washing removes surface debris and does not show bruises beneath the skin.

Why is "A plain radiograph of the back" not the answer?

A plain radiograph shows bone and does not show soft tissue bruising.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Injuries and wounds: demonstrating deep bruises in Forensic Medicine. Layer-wise incisions expose extravasated blood, and are used when custodial violence is alleged. Imaging and surface methods do not show soft tissue bleeding reliably.

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 Injuries and wounds: demonstrating deep bruises?

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.