During examination of a body dead for about 12 hours, brownish-black parchmented patches are seen where the eyelids do not meet, exposing strips of sclera and conjunctiva. These lesions are known as:
- A Tache noire ✓
- B Petechial haemorrhage of asphyxia
- C Postmortem abrasion
- D Marbling
Correct answer: A. Tache noire
Explanation
Tache noire refers to brownish-black discolouration of the exposed bands of sclera and conjunctiva when the eyes remain partly open after death. The exposed surfaces dry and become darkened through evaporation of lachrymal fluid, producing horizontal pigmented bands. It is a postmortem change due to drying and must not be mistaken for injury or petechiae. Petechiae are punctate haemorrhages, marbling is a putrefactive vascular pattern, and postmortem abrasions are ant bite like or pressure related skin defects.
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.