Which incision is routinely used to open the trunk during a standard medico-legal autopsy in India?

• A Y-shaped incision from both acromia meeting at the sternum and extending to the pubis
• B Left paramedian incision from clavicle to pubis
• C Transverse submammary incision
• D Single straight midline incision from below the chin to the pubis ✓

Explanation

The routine medico-legal autopsy incision in Indian practice is a single midline (I-shaped) incision starting just below the chin or over the thyroid cartilage and extending down to the symphysis pubis, skirting the umbilicus. It allows adequate exposure of neck structures, chest and abdominal cavities while preserving vessels for embalming. The Y-shaped incision is used in hospital or clinical autopsies, and the left paramedian approach is not standard forensic practice.

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.