A body is pulled from a pond 6 hours after it was seen struggling in the water. Autopsy shows froth at the nostrils and waterlogged lungs. The right hand is rigidly clenched around a fistful of weeds and mud. This clenched grip is BEST explained by:

• A Rigor mortis setting in early due to struggle before death
• B Cadaveric spasm occurring at the moment of death ✓
• C Postmortem contraction of flexor muscles during cooling
• D Putrefactive stiffening of the small muscles of the hand

Explanation

Cadaveric spasm is an instantaneous, total muscular rigidity that fixes the body in the posture held at the exact moment of death, with no preceding primary flaccidity. A drowning victim grasping weeds, mud or another person at the moment of sinking retains that grip, and it cannot be produced or simulated after death. It is therefore regarded as a vital reaction supporting ante-mortem drowning. Ordinary rigor mortis develops hours later and does not create purposeful gripping.

Reference: Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.