Autopsy of a recovered fetus shows reddish-brown discolouration of skin, widespread peeling and slippage of the epidermis, loose overriding of cranial bones, and clear serous fluid in body cavities without any offensive smell. These changes indicate:

• A Adipocere formation, proving burial in damp soil
• B Putrefaction, proving live birth followed by delayed discovery
• C Mummification, proving prolonged storage after death
• D Maceration, proving intrauterine retention after fetal death (stillbirth) ✓

Explanation

Maceration is sterile aseptic autolysis of a dead fetus bathed in amniotic fluid. Its hallmarks are skin slippage, loosening of epidermis, overriding skull bones, serous rather than purulent effusions, and absence of putrefactive odour and gas formation. It occurs only in utero, so its presence proves the fetus was dead before delivery. Putrefaction, unlike maceration, produces gas, foul smell, and bloating, which kills option B.

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.