Medical jurisprudence, Death and PM changes

Question 1

In what situations is cadaveric spasm observed?

Answer 1

Drowning deaths

Brain injury

Fear or excitement

Electrocution

Nervous system injury

Convulsant poison (e.g. Strychnine)

Question 2

How does cadaveric spasm differ from rigor mortis?

Answer 2

Unlike rigor mortis, cadaveric spasm skips the flaccid stage, resulting in immediate muscle stiffening in select voluntary muscle groups.

Question 3

What muscles are affected by cadaveric spasm?

Answer 3

Mostly voluntary, smaller groups of muscles that were in a state of contraction at the time of death.

Question 4

What is the proposed mechanism behind cadaveric spasm?

Answer 4

It is believed to be due to neurogenic phenomena, as the affected cells do not undergo necrosis and may still respond to electrical stimuli.

Question 5

Can cadaveric spasm be artificially induced?

Answer 5

No, it is a unique phenomenon that occurs only at the moment of death and cannot be replicated artificially.

Question 6

How is cadaveric rigidity (rigor mortis) produced?

Answer 6

It can be produced by freezing and exposure to temperatures above 65°C.

Question 7

What is the mechanism behind cadaveric rigidity (rigor mortis)?

Answer 7

Reduction of ATP in the muscles.

Question 8

When does rigor mortis begin?

Answer 8

1 – 2 hours after death.

Question 9

When does cadaveric spasm begin?

Answer 9

Instantaneously at the moment of death.

Question 10

Which muscles are involved in rigor mortis?

Answer 10

All muscles – both voluntary and involuntary.

Question 11

Which muscles are involved in cadaveric spasm?

Answer 11

A single group of voluntary muscles.

Question 12

How strong is the muscle stiffening in rigor mortis?

Answer 12

Not marked, can be overcome by moderate force.

Question 13

How strong is the muscle stiffening in cadaveric spasm?

Answer 13

Marked, great force is required to overcome it.

Question 14

What is the body heat status in cadaveric spasm and rigor mortis?

Answer 14

Warm and cold respectively

Question 15

Molecular death occurs in– cadaveric spasm or rigor mortis?

Answer 15

Rigor mortis

Question 16

How do muscles respond to electrical stimuli in rigor mortis and cadaveric spasm?

Answer 16

RM- Don’t respond
CS- respond

Question 17

What is the muscular reaction in rigor mortis and cadaveric spasm?

Answer 17

RM- acidic
CS- alkaline

Question 18

What is the medicolegal importance of rigor mortis and cadaveric spasm?

Answer 18

Rm- indicates time of death
CS- indicates manner of death

Question 19

Honeycombing of liver is d/t?

Answer 19

Putrefaction

Question 20

Estimated time of death acc to fly lifecycle
a. maggots
b. adult flies
c. pupae

Answer 20

a. 1-2 days
b. 6-7 days
c. 3-6 days

Question 21

First hand knowledge rule is applicable to

Answer 21

Common witness

Question 22

BSA section 39 (1) is regarding

Answer 22

Expert witness

Question 23

BSA 157

Answer 23

Hostile witness

Question 24

BSA section for evidence

Answer 24

2 (1) (e)

Question 25

BSA section for dying declaration

Answer 25

26

Question 26

Color of postmortem hypostasis in: a. CO b. Cyanides c. Phosphorus d. Nitrites e. H2S f. Opium g. Asphyxia h. Hypothermia i. Septic abortion

Answer 26

a. Cherry red b. Brick red/ dark pink c. Dark brown d. Red-brown e. Bluish green f. Greyish/ black g. Dark purple h. Bright pink i. Pale bronze/ greenish yellow

Question 27

Dowry death BNS section and punishment

Answer 27

BNS 80 imprisonment 7 yrs to life

Question 28

BNS 100, BNS 72 and 63

Answer 28

100-- culpable homicide 72-- revealing identity of rape victim- 2 yrs prison + fine 63-- rape

Question 29

Marbling of veins begins by

Answer 29

24 hrs

Question 30

When does postmortem urethral sphincter relaxation occur?

Answer 30

Primary relaxation occurs just before rigor mortis Secondary relaxation occurs during decomposition-- 2-3 days

Question 31

Adipocere starts by

Answer 31

4-5 days

Question 32

Liquifactive changes occurs ___ days after death

Answer 32

5 days

Question 33

Timing of development of PM hypostasis

Answer 33

Mottled patches-- 1-3 hrs Uniform area of staining-- 3-6 hrs Fully developed and fixation of hypostasis-- 6-12 hrs

Question 34

Kevorkian sign occurs d/t

Answer 34

loss of BP and lasts for about 1 hr

Question 35

Tache noir

Answer 35

black deposition of cell debris and mucous on sclera within 3-4 hrs of death

Question 36

IOP reaches 0 at?

Answer 36

2 hrs after death

Question 37

BNSS 194 and 196

Answer 37

194- police inquest 196- magistrate inquest

Question 38

WHat rank of police can request for autopsy

Answer 38

not below rank of senior head constable

Question 39

Pugilistic attitude occurs d/t?

Answer 39

coagulation of muscle proteins

Question 40

Criterias used for diagnose brain death

Answer 40

Harvard criteria, Minnesota criteria and Philadelphia protocol

Question 41

Harvard criteria to diagnose brain death

Answer 41

Unresponsiveness Apnea No movements No elicitable reflexes Isoelectric EEG (confirmatory)

Question 42

Does pontine hemorrhage affect livor mortis?

Answer 42

No

Question 43

What is livor mortis, and when does it start?

Answer 43

Pooling of blood in dependent parts of the body, causing a purplish-red discoloration. It starts within 20 minutes to 3 hours after death.

Question 44

In which conditions can postmortem caloricity be seen?

Answer 44

Sunstroke and pontine hemorrhage (impaired thermoregulation) Tetanus and strychnine poisoning (muscle convulsions increase heat production) Septicemia (bacterial activity generates heat)

Question 45

What conditions can delay algor mortis?

Answer 45

Pontine hemorrhage, heatstroke, septicemia, thyrotoxicosis

Question 46

When does algor mortis typically begin?

Answer 46

Within 1–2 hours after death, as the body cools to ambient temperature.

Question 47

Order of organs to putrefy

Answer 47

Larynx and trachea Stomach, intestine, spleen Liver, lungs Brain Heart Kidney, Bladder Prostate, Uterus Skin, muscle, tendons Bones

Question 48

Criminal responsibility of insane BNS?

Answer 48

22

Question 49

BNS 107, 108, 109, 110

Answer 49

107- abetment of suicide of child/ person of unsound mind 108- abetment of suicide of sane person 109- attempt to murder 110- attempt to culpable homicide

Question 50

What test is used to differentiate freshwater vs. saltwater drowning?

Answer 50

Gettler test (estimates chloride content in the heart's right and left sides).