A young labourer is found dead in a field shortly after an alleged fight. His right hand is clenched tightly around a handful of grass and soil. On attempting to straighten the fingers, considerable force is required and the grip cannot be released without breaking the fingers. This finding is best explained by:

• A Heat stiffening
• B Cadaveric spasm ✓
• C Gas stiffening of decomposition
• D Ordinary rigor mortis

Explanation

Cadaveric spasm is instantaneous rigidity that sets in at the moment of death without a preceding stage of primary muscular flaccidity, and it affects only a group of muscles that were in a state of contraction at death. B true voluntary grip on grass, a weapon or clothing indicates intense mental and physical activity immediately before death, so the gripped object cannot be removed and may identify the assailant. Ordinary rigor mortis develops after a latent period and can be broken by force without destroying the object held.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.