Time Since Death Estimation MCQ Quiz | Forensic Pathology

Welcome to the Forensic Pathology quiz on Time Since Death Estimation, specifically designed for MBBS students. This crucial area of forensic science involves analyzing various post-mortem changes to determine the Post-Mortem Interval (PMI). This quiz features 25 multiple-choice questions covering key topics such as Algor, Livor, and Rigor Mortis, as well as decompositional changes, forensic entomology, and biochemical markers like vitreous potassium levels. Test your understanding of these critical concepts, which are fundamental for both examinations and practical forensic analysis. After submitting your answers, you will receive your score and see a detailed breakdown of correct and incorrect responses. You can also download all questions with their correct answers in a PDF format for future revision.

1. What is the approximate rate of body cooling (Algor Mortis) per hour for the first 12 hours after death in a temperate environment?

2. Rigor mortis typically first appears in which group of muscles according to Nysten’s Law?

3. Fixation of livor mortis, meaning it does not blanch on pressure, typically occurs after how many hours?

4. The rise of which electrolyte in the vitreous humor is one of the most reliable biochemical markers for estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI)?

5. The presence of a greenish discoloration on the skin, typically starting in the right iliac fossa, is an early sign of what process?

6. In forensic entomology, the arrival of which insect species is typically considered the first wave on a corpse exposed outdoors?

7. “Cadaveric spasm” is a rare phenomenon that is a form of:

8. Adipocere (saponification) formation is favored in which type of environment?

9. What are Tardieu spots?

10. The state of digestion of stomach contents can help estimate the time of death. If a light meal was consumed, the stomach is typically empty after how long?

11. What is the “pugilistic attitude” seen in bodies exposed to high heat?

12. A ‘cutis anserina’ or ‘goose flesh’ appearance on a dead body indicates:

13. The process of self-digestion of body tissues by their own enzymes after death is known as:

14. Post-mortem caloricity, a temporary rise in body temperature after death, can be seen in deaths from:

15. Marbling of the skin, a web-like pattern of dark discoloration, is caused by:

16. What is the correct sequence of events in the establishment of rigor mortis?

17. In a case of carbon monoxide poisoning, what color is the post-mortem lividity?

18. The Casper’s Dictum states that the rate of decomposition in air, water, and buried in soil is approximately:

19. Which of the following factors would accelerate the onset and duration of rigor mortis?

20. Tache noire de la sclerotique refers to:

21. The chemical basis for rigor mortis is the depletion of ATP, leading to the formation of a stable complex between:

22. Mummification is a modification of putrefaction favored by what conditions?

23. Post-mortem cooling of the body is best represented by which type of curve?

24. What are supravital reactions?

25. Skin slippage and the formation of putrefactive blisters are characteristic features of which stage of decomposition?