Casper's dictum in forensic thanatology states that a body in AIR decomposes as fast as a body in WATER in how many weeks, and as fast as a body buried in EARTH in how many weeks?

• A 1 week in air = 2 weeks in water = 4 weeks in earth
• B 1 week in air = 2 weeks in water = 8 weeks in earth ✓
• C 2 weeks in air = 4 weeks in water = 8 weeks in earth
• D 1 week in air = 3 weeks in water = 6 weeks in earth

Explanation

Casper's rule (dictum) states that in equivalent temperature conditions: 1 week decomposition in AIR = 2 weeks decomposition in WATER = 8 weeks decomposition in EARTH (burial). This ratio reflects the relative availability of oxygen and decomposing agents; air facilitates the most rapid decomposition because insects, oxidation, and aerobic bacteria all contribute, whereas burial in soil retards decomposition most effectively. This is a standard forensic eponym tested repeatedly in NEET PG.

Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.