Identification & Thanatology · NEET PG Preparation Forensic Medicine
A decomposed body is recovered from a stagnant pond. Forensic examination reveals generalized slippage of the epidermis, brownish-red discoloration o…
Practice question from Identification & Thanatology (NEET PG Preparation Forensic Medicine), with the correct answer and a step-by-step solution.
easy · MCQ · Q-91EBEA
A decomposed body is recovered from a stagnant pond. Forensic examination reveals generalized slippage of the epidermis, brownish-red discoloration of the skin over the abdomen, and greenish discoloration of the anterior abdominal wall, particularly in the right iliac fossa. What is the cause of the greenish discoloration in the right iliac fossa?
- A.Reaction of hydrogen sulfide with hemoglobin to form sulfhemoglobinCorrect answer
- B.Oxidation of bilirubin to biliverdin by aerobic bacteria in the cecum
- C.Enzymatic breakdown of subcutaneous fat by pancreatic lipase
- D.Post-mortem lysis of erythrocytes releasing free iron into the tissue spaces
Solution
The earliest external sign of decomposition is greenish discoloration of the anterior abdominal wall, typically starting in the right iliac fossa because the cecum (which contains a large amount of fecal matter and sulfur-producing bacteria) lies close to the surface. Hydrogen sulfide produced by bacterial putrefaction diffuses into the tissues and reacts with hemoglobin in the blood vessels to form sulfhemoglobin, which has a green color.
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