Criminal Investigation of Unnatural Death
Criminal Investigation of Unnatural Death Quiz Crafted By-
Mrinmoy Mukherjee
Scientific Officer
Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science India Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi
Introduction to Criminal Investigation of Unnatural Death
The investigation of cases of unnatural death is essentially an important function of the Police, as the general public, in most of the cases, frequently forward allegations of foul play and if the unnatural death occurs within the view or custody of Police, the things would become very serious.
The unnatural death, as defined under section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, is that
(a). a person has committed suicide, or
(b). he has been killed by another, or
(c). he has been killed by an animal, or
(d). by a machinery or
(e). an accident or
(f). the person has died under circumstances raising a reasonable suspicion that some other person has committed an offence.
Let's look at the questions and their answer.
Ques 1. If a dead body lying on its back shows lividity features on the front, it indicates that
a) Death was sudden
b) Dead body was shifted
c) Death was due to blood loss
d) Time since death was less than 12 hours
Answer – b) Dead body was shifted
Ques 2. Which of the following changes in a dead body does not help to determine time since death
a) Cadaveric spasm
b) Marbling
c) Foamy liver
d) Hypostasis
Answer – a) Cadaveric spasm
Ques 3. A person if burnt alive, can be determined by the:
a) Cherry-red discoloration of blood
b) Pink Coloration of blood
c) Blue color of blood
d) Brown color of blood
Answer – a) Cherry-red discoloration of blood
Ques 4. Which of the following organs is most suitable for a diatom test?
a) Jejunum
b) Lungs
c) Stomach
d) Sternum
Answer – b) Lungs
Ques 5. A dead body for autopsy is to be preserved in a cold chamber whose preferred temperature is
a) -4 Degree Celsius
b) 0 Degree Celsius
c) 4 Degree Celsius
d) 10 Degree Celsius
Answer – c) 4 Degree Celsius
Ques 6. Which of the following is a feature in antemortem hanging ?
a) Fracture of hyoid bone
b) Ligature mark around neck
c) Protrusion of tongue
d) Salivary dribbling
Answer – d) Salivary dribbling
Ques 7. Casper’s dictum is used in relation to
a) Rigor mortis
b) PM staining
c) Putrefaction
d) Mummification
Answer – c) Putrefaction
Ques 8. CrPC 174 & 176 are related with
a) Magistrate & Police Inquest
b) Police & Magistrate Inquest
c) Medical Examiner’s & Coroner’s Inquest
d) Coroner’s & Medical Examiner’s Inquest
Answer – b) Police & Magistrate Inquest
Ques 9. Unnatural Death is defined under
a) 172 CrPC
b) 173 CrPC
c) 174 CrPC
d) 175 CrPC
Answer – c) 174 CrPC
Ques 10. Which of the following is NOT considered as one of the 3 Stages of Death Investigation process:
a) Examination
b) Correlation
c) Interpretation
d) Verification
Answer – d) Verification