A man is found dead at the scene of an assault with a dagger still tightly gripped in his right hand. The grip cannot be broken even by considerable force. This finding is best explained by:

• A Gas stiffening
• B Rigor mortis
• C Heat stiffening
• D Cadaveric spasm ✓

Explanation

Cadaveric spasm is instantaneous rigidity occurring at the moment of death without a preceding primary flaccidity, typically affecting a small group of muscles actively contracted at death, such as the hand gripping a weapon. It cannot be overcome by force and is highly significant because it indicates antemortem voluntary action, helping distinguish suicide from homicide. Rigor mortis develops after a delay of 1 to 2 hours and follows the usual onset sequence, so it would not fix the grip at the instant of death.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.