An intact blister is found over the dorsum of the hand of a body discovered indoors. The blister fluid is haemorrhagic and the skin shows no thermal burn marks. This finding is MOST consistent with:
- A Postmortem blister due to putrefactive gas formation between epidermis and dermis ✓
- B Contact thermal burn from a hot object
- C Ante-mortem scald injury from hot water
- D Antemortem electrocution mark
Explanation
Postmortem blisters (cadaveric blisters) form during early putrefaction when bacterial gas and serous/haemorrhagic fluid accumulate between the epidermis and dermis, separating them as the skin softens. These are filled with foul-smelling haemorrhagic fluid rich in putrefactive bacteria and lack the inflammatory reaction (vital reaction) seen in antemortem blisters. The absence of soot, thermal injury, or an appropriate contact history distinguishes them from burn blisters. Recognising postmortem blisters prevents misdiagnosis as antemortem thermal injury.
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.