In a fire death, the 'pugilistic attitude' (boxer's posture) of the burnt body is due to:

• A Antemortem muscular spasm caused by extreme heat stimulating motor neurons
• B Rigor mortis fixing the body in the position it was lying in before the fire
• C Postmortem coagulation and shortening of muscle proteins due to intense heat, with flexor muscles having greater bulk than extensors ✓
• D Generalised contracture of tendons which have greater heat resistance than muscle bellies

Explanation

The pugilistic posture (boxer position) — flexion of elbows, hips, and knees with clenched fists — is a postmortem change occurring in bodies exposed to intense heat. It results from coagulation and shortening of muscle proteins (similar to heat-denatured collagen) rather than vital muscular contraction. Since flexor muscle groups have greater bulk and mass than extensor muscles in most limb segments, they contract more and produce flexion. This is important forensically — the pugilistic attitude is purely postmortem and gives no information about the victim's conscious position before the fire.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.