Jipmer Past Qns - Forensic Medicine

Testamentary capacity refers to the mental and legal ability of a person to make a valid will. It means that the person must be of sound mind, understand the nature and extent of their property, and be aware of the consequences of making a will. This ensures that the person is able to make informed decisions regarding the distribution of their assets after their death.

Cutis anserina, also known as "goosebumps" or "piloerection," is a physiological response of the body to various stimuli, including cold temperatures, fear, or emotional arousal. It is characterized by the temporary raising of the hairs on the skin, causing a bumpy or "goosebump" appearance. In the case of drowning, the body's natural response to the cold water and the struggle for survival can trigger cutis anserina. Therefore, it is plausible to observe cutis anserina in cases of drowning.

The clavicle bone is not useful for sex determination because it does not exhibit any significant differences between males and females. The pelvis bone, on the other hand, can provide valuable clues about the sex of an individual due to its distinct shape and size differences between males and females. Similarly, the skull and femur bones also exhibit sexual dimorphism, allowing for sex determination in skeletal remains.

The molar is the correct answer because it is the first permanent tooth to erupt in the mouth. The molars are located at the back of the mouth and are larger and more complex in structure compared to other teeth. They play an important role in chewing and grinding food. The eruption of molars typically occurs around the age of 6-7 years, after the primary teeth have fallen out.

The presence of alveolar duct membrane in a fetal autopsy indicates live birth. This is because the alveolar ducts are responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs, and their presence suggests that the baby was breathing and had functioning lungs at some point. In stillbirth or mummification, the alveolar ducts would not be developed or present. Artificial inflation, on the other hand, refers to the inflation of the lungs after birth and would not be relevant in a fetal autopsy.

Carbolic acid, also known as phenol, is a toxic substance that has strong antiseptic properties. It works by denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes, which makes it effective in killing bacteria and preventing putrefaction, the process of decaying and decomposition of organic matter. Therefore, poisoning with carbolic acid would delay putrefaction.