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Post-Mortem Examination and Forensic Science
Forensic Science
This document provides a comprehensive overview of post-mortem examinations, including the signs of death, post-mortem changes, methods for estimating time of death, and the process of autopsy. It also delves into various types of injuries, asphyxia, establishing identity through forensic methods, and legal mandates related to death registration and burial.
Forensics
Autopsy
Death Investigation
29 Questions
Hard
Ages 18+
Aug 16, 2026
About this Study Set
This study set covers Forensic Science through
29 practice questions.
This document provides a comprehensive overview of post-mortem examinations, including the signs of death, post-mortem changes, methods for estimating time of death, and the process of autopsy. It also delves into various types of injuries, asphyxia, establishing identity through forensic methods, and legal mandates related to death registration and burial. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.
Questions & Answers
Browse all 29 questions from the
Post-Mortem Examination and Forensic Science study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
What are the two main components of Brain Death?
-
A
Cortical Death and Brainstem Death
-
B
Cerebral Death and Spinal Death
-
C
Primary Death and Secondary Death
-
D
Active Death and Passive Death
2
Which of the following is NOT listed as a sign of death?
-
A
Unconsciousness
-
B
Loss of ALL reflexes
-
C
Muscle flaccidity
-
D
Increased muscle tone
3
Which test involves using a mirror to observe pupil reaction?
-
A
Magnus Test
-
B
Fingernail Test
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C
Mirror Test
-
D
Feather Test
4
What is 'tache noire' in the context of post-mortem changes?
-
A
A bluish-purple discoloration of the skin
-
B
Stiffening of muscles
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C
Dryness and discoloration of the sclera
-
D
Waxy substance derived from body fat
5
Primary flaccidity occurs as muscles begin to relax and lasts for approximately how long after death?
-
A
1-2 hours
-
B
3-6 hours
-
C
6-12 hours
-
D
12-18 hours
6
Rigor mortis, the stiffening of muscles, typically starts to appear between how many hours after death?
-
A
1-3 hours
-
B
3-6 hours
-
C
6-12 hours
-
D
12-24 hours
7
Which of the following factors can affect the onset and duration of rigor mortis?
-
A
Age, Nature of Death, Muscular State, Atmospheric Condition
-
B
Body Temperature, Site of Reading, Posture, Clothing
-
C
Environmental Temperature, Obesity, Emaciation, Body Fat
-
D
Presence of bacteria, Blood Loss, Skin Color, Jaundice
8
What is 'cadaveric spasm'?
-
A
The instantaneous appearance of rigidity in a deceased body
-
B
The cooling of the body after death
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C
The decomposition of tissues
-
D
The formation of adipocere
9
Hypostasis, also known as livor mortis, is characterized by what?
-
A
Stiffening of the muscles
-
B
Cooling of the body
-
C
Bluish-purple discoloration of the skin in dependent parts
-
D
Dryness of the tissues
10
Tardieu spots are described as:
-
A
Yellowish bands on the sclera
-
B
Petechiae and purpuric hemorrhages in dependent areas
-
C
Gas distention and skin blisters
-
D
A waxy substance derived from body fat
11
Algor mortis refers to:
-
A
The stiffening of muscles
-
B
The cooling of the body
-
C
The decomposition of tissues
-
D
The discoloration of the skin
12
Postmortem caloricity is a phenomenon where the body temperature of a corpse:
-
A
Falls rapidly after death
-
B
Rises or remains unusually high for up to 2 hours after death
-
C
Stays constant for the first 12 hours
-
D
Approaches surrounding temperature within 3 hours
13
Which of the following conditions can lead to postmortem caloricity?
-
A
Hypothermia, Hypovolemia, Anemia
-
B
Heat stroke, Electrocution, Asphyxia
-
C
Drowning, Hypothermia, Sepsis
-
D
Hypoxia, Hypoglycemia, Dehydration
14
Putrefaction, a stage of decomposition, is primarily caused by:
-
A
Drying of tissues
-
B
Bacteria originating from the intestines and lungs
-
C
Hydrolysis and hydrogenation of adipose tissues
-
D
Fungal growth on the skin
15
Adipocere is a waxy substance formed from body fat, commonly seen in what kind of environment?
-
A
Dry and hot environments
-
B
Wet or moist environments
-
C
Cold and humid environments
-
D
High altitude environments
16
Mummification occurs when tissues dry out instead of liquefying, typically in what kind of environment?
-
A
Wet and cold
-
B
Dry and hot
-
C
Humid and temperate
-
D
Submerged in water
17
What is the literal meaning of 'Autopsy'?
-
A
To see for oneself
-
B
To examine the body
-
C
To determine the cause of death
-
D
To view the organs
18
Which of the following is NOT a type of autopsy listed?
-
A
Medical/Clinical Autopsy
-
B
Psychological Autopsy
-
C
Surgical Autopsy
-
D
Medico-Legal Autopsy
19
The objectives of an autopsy include determining the cause of death, manner of death, and:
-
A
Establishing the victim's profession
-
B
Establishing the time since death
-
C
Determining the victim's last meal
-
D
Identifying the perpetrator
20
'Cause of death' is defined as:
-
A
How the cause of death arose
-
B
The disease or injury responsible for the sequence of events
-
C
The final event that led to death
-
D
The circumstances surrounding the death
21
'Manner of death' explains:
-
A
The specific disease or injury
-
B
The sequence of events leading to death
-
C
How the cause of death arose
-
D
The time elapsed since death
22
Which of the following is classified as a Blunt Force Injury/Trauma?
-
A
Incised wounds
-
B
Stab wounds
-
C
Abrasions
-
D
Chop wounds
23
Defensive wounds typically result from:
-
A
The victim attempting to save themselves
-
B
The perpetrator overpowering the victim
-
C
The victim succumbing to their injuries
-
D
The victim being attacked by animals
24
Asphyxia is a condition where:
-
A
Oxygen supply to the blood and tissues is increased
-
B
Oxygen supply to the blood and tissues is reduced due to interference with respiration
-
C
The heart stops beating due to a blockage
-
D
The brain experiences a sudden surge of blood
25
Hanging is a type of mechanical asphyxial death caused by:
-
A
Constriction of the neck by ligature with the body suspended
-
B
Constriction of the neck by any means without suspending the body
-
C
Mechanical obstruction of air passage other than neck constriction
-
D
Aspiration of fluid into the air passages
26
Strangulation is distinct from hanging because it involves:
-
A
Suspension of the body by a ligature
-
B
Constriction of the neck by any means without suspending the body
-
C
Obstruction of air passages by fluid
-
D
Mechanical obstruction of the airways by foreign objects
27
Suffocation is a type of asphyxia characterized by:
-
A
Constriction of the neck
-
B
Aspiration of fluid into the air passages
-
C
Mechanical obstruction of air passage due to causes other than neck constriction
-
D
Sudden cardiac arrest due to cold water immersion
28
Which type of drowning occurs when there is very little or no inhalation of water?
-
A
Wet drowning
-
B
Fresh water drowning
-
C
Salt water drowning
-
D
Dry drowning
29
Establishing identity involves both general and specific identification. Which of the following is considered GENERAL IDENTITY?
-
A
Facial Features
-
B
Scars, Tattoos, Deformities
-
C
Race, Age, Sex, Stature
-
D
Finger/Foot/Lip Prints
