An adult found dead in an abandoned building has lost a large proportion of his body weight from prolonged total starvation. According to standard forensic texts, loss of what approximate proportion of the original body weight is generally considered incompatible with life?

• A 15 to 20 percent
• B 25 to 30 percent
• C 35 to 40 percent ✓
• D 55 to 60 percent

Explanation

Standard forensic texts state that loss of about 35 to 40 percent of the premorbid body weight from starvation is usually fatal. Lesser degrees of wasting are compatible with survival and are seen in recoverable malnutrition, while losses beyond this range reflect irreversible depletion of fat and protein reserves. The higher figure of 55 to 60 percent is never cited because such extreme loss is practically unattainable before death intervenes.

Reference: Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 7th ed.

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