Here are all 124 Forensic Medicine and Toxicology questions asked in UPSC Medical Science Optional Paper I from 1995 to 2026, arranged under the 4 topics of the official syllabus. Within each topic the latest questions come first.
Each question ends with a code such as [2024/15m/3b] – the year, the marks, the word limit (where UPSC set one) and the question number in the paper.
7.1] Injuries and wounds
40 questions
Define injury as per Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Enumerate the various mechanical injuries. Write a brief note on ‘concealed punctured wound’. [2026/10m/8b(i)]
Define ‘Injury’, ‘Hurt’ and ‘Grievous Hurt’. Add a note on the medicolegal aspects of contusion. [2025/10m/8b(i)]
Define injury. Discuss the microscopic and histochemical methods which can determine the age of injury. [2024/10m/5e]
What is virtual autopsy? State its methodology. What are its merits? [2024/10m/8b(i)]
Define brain death. Describe its medicolegal importance. [2024/10m/8b(ii)]
Define ‘Injury’, ‘Hurt’ and ‘Grievous hurt’ as per the Indian Penal Code. Write a short note on secondary markings on fired bullet. [2023/10m/8b(i)]
What is a firearm? What are the features of a firearm ammunition entry wound that will help in determining the range and direction of fire? [2022/10m/5e]
Define ‘injury’ and ‘hurt’. Enumerate the ingredients of ‘grievous hurt’. Briefly differentiate ‘hurt’ from ‘grievous hurt’. [2021/10m/8b(i)]
Discuss the process of wound healing. What is the significance of stages of wound healing in Medico-legal cases? [2019/15m/7b]
Define ‘Head Injury’. What is the mechanism of ‘Coup’ and ‘Contre Coup’ brain damage. [2018/5m/5e(i)]
Write in short about Embalming. [2017/10m/1a]
How will you assess that the injury is ‘Grievous Hurt’ as per Section 320 of the Indian Penal Code? Illustrate with examples. [2017/10m/5e]
A young person of 25 years has sustained smooth barrel shotgun firearm injury on right side of chest. How will you establish on clinical examination the entry wound and distance of fire? [2015/10m/150w/5e]
Write hypothetical medicolegal report of an injured person having sustained stab wound penetrating lung deep on right side of chest. [2015/20m/7a]
Describe different types of injuries sustained by a victim of gang rape. How will you proceed to examine and opine in such a situation? [2013/10m/5d]
Enumerate types of injuries caused by a sharp weapon. Describe how you will correlate the weapon of offence with injuries. [2013/15m/8c]
Describe the structure of a cartridge of a smooth barrel shotgun and its mechanism of fire. [2012/20m/8a]
A 50-year male has been found hanged in a bath-room along with incised wound on wrist, groin and cubital region. How will you establish cause of death and opine whether he has expired of hanging or injuries sustained? [2011/12m/5d]
Enumerate the clauses of Grievous hurt, with an example for each clause. [2011/20m/8b]
Enumerate the various types of injuries. Describe the injuries produced by a sharp weapon. [2010/12m/5f]
Describe the mechanism of injuries sustained by a pedestrian on being hit by a four-wheeler. [2010/20m/8a]
Describe in brief about the causes of death from wounds. [2009/20m/8a]
Describe the features of contact wound by a rifled firearm. How will you differentiate entry and exit wound in a distant fire. [2007/20m/8a]
Describe how will you differentiate between homicidal and suicidal injuries. [2007/20m/8c]
How will you determine the range of a firearm in case of fire from a shotgun? [2006/20m/5d]
Describe how you will differentiate between antemortem and postmortem injuries on postmortem examination. [2005/20m/8c]
What are the parts of ‘Medicolegal report’? Describe how will you examine and prepare a medicolegal report of an injured person. [2004/20m/200w/5d]
Describe how will you differentiate between suicidal and homicidal injuries on medical examination. [2004/20m/8c]
Describe the features of the entry wound by a bullet fired, from a rifle. Mention the differentiating features of an entry and exit wound caused by a rifled firearm. [2003/20m/8c]
Define ‘Hurt’. What are the various clauses of ‘grievous hurt’? Discuss the eighth clause in detail. [2002/20m/200w/5d]
Classify various types of injuries. How will you estimate age of “Bruise”? [2001/20m/8a]
Write a note on Exhumation. [2001/20m/8c]
How will you determine whether the incised wound is ante mortem or post mortem? [2000/20m/7a]
A person is having 24 teeth of which 20 are milk teeth. Answer with reasons what is the age of the person. [1999/20m/200w/1e]
How will you differentiate an entry wound from an exit wound in case of a firearm injury? [1999/20m/7b]
How will you differentiate between antemortem and postmortem wounds? [1997/20m/200w/1e]
Describe various clauses of grievous hurt. [1997/20m/7b]
Describe the causes of death from wounds. [1997/20m/7c]
Define bruise. Describe the method of aging of bruise and its medico-legal significance. [1996/30m/7a]
How will you differentiate an Entry Wound from an Exit Wound? [1995/20m/7b]
7.2] Blood and seminal stains; DNA and fingerprints
36 questions
What is identification? Describe in brief the primary and secondary characteristics of identification. Which is the surest test for identification of an individual? Why? [2026/10m/8b(ii)]
Describe the various tests prescribed for blood and seminal stains obtained during the examination of a victim of rape and their role in the investigation. [2025/10m/8b(ii)]
Enumerate types of Blood Group Systems used for identification and paternity testing. [2023/10m/5e]
Enumerate different types of finger impressions. Write a short note on DNA fingerprinting. [2023/10m/8b(ii)]
Enumerate the data of identification. Write a note on fingerprinting. [2021/10m/5e]
Describe signs of ‘asphyxia’. Enumerate the types of ‘violent asphyxial deaths’. Briefly discuss about ‘sexual asphyxia’. Enumerate the tests for confirmation of semen. State the modus operandi of collection of samples for detection of semen in alleged case of rape victim. [2021/10m/8b(ii)]
What are the ABO and Rh blood group systems? Discuss the various tests for blood and seminal stains in a rape victim. [2020/15m/7b]
What is DNA finger printing? What precautions should be taken while collecting various samples from living human being for this test? What is DNA Bill? [2019/20m/7a]
Define ‘Rape’ as per Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013. An 11 yr old girl is brought to casualty with alleged history of rape 2 hours ago. Discuss the medico-legal examination in detail, including the samples that are to be collected. [2018/20m/7a]
Enumerate 6 major Blood Groups. Give the Mendel’s laws of inheritance of the blood groups and their role in disputed paternity testing. [2018/7.5m/7b(ii)]
A 16-year-old girl has been brought for medical examination to the hospital by the police with alleged history of rape. How will the medical officer proceed to examine her? Describe the possible findings. What are the specimens preserved to establish the alleged crime? [2017/20m/7a]
Define rape and write about various tests to detect semen. [2016/15m/7b]
A 25-year-old young male has been brought for medical examination to the hospital by the police with alleged history of committing rape on a 12-year-old girl. How will the medical officer proceed to examine and what laboratory investigations shall be carried out and what type of material shall be preserved to establish whether he has committed the alleged crime or not? [2014/20m/7a]
Describe different types of injuries sustained by a victim of gang rape. How will you proceed to examine and opine in such a situation? [2013/10m/5d]
What are various tests to detect semen? Describe the confirmatory tests for seminal stains. [2013/15m/8b]
How will you solve the problem of interchange of newborn babies in a Hospital? [2012/12m/5d]
How will you establish on medical examination and examination of trace evidences that alleged virgin woman of 15 years was sexually assaulted by an adult male? [2012/20m/8c]
How will you plan to collect and preserve the samples for DNA profiling and other tests in a case of mass disaster having mutilated and dismembered bodies? [2010/20m/8b]
Describe in brief about Dactylography. [2009/20m/8b]
Describe the role of DNA Profiling in Forensic medicine. [2007/20m/5d]
Discuss in detail various examinations done in the laboratory to identify a blood stain. [2006/20m/8c]
What is ‘disputed paternity’? Describe how you will solve such a problem by examination of blood. [2005/20m/5d]
Enumerate the various screening tests for blood stains. Describe the tests to establish the blood group of the blood stain. [2004/20m/8a]
Describe the procedures of medical examination and methods of preserve trace evidences to detect semen as a proof of sexual offence of a 18 year’s old female. [2004/20m/8b]
Enumerate the tests performed for examination of suspected seminal stains. Describe confirmatory tests for seminal stains. [2003/20m/200w/5d]
Discuss differential diagnosis of “Red stain”. Discuss briefly the various chemical tests for detection of human blood. [2002/20m/8b]
How will you use the blood grouping system in case of disputed paternity? [2000/12m/200w/5f]
Enumerate various physical and chemical tests to confirm the presence of semen in a given sample. [2000/20m/7b]
A skull has been sent to you for examination. How will you determine the sex and establish the individual identity? [1999/40m/7a]
Write medico-legal significance of DNA fingerprinting. [1998/20m/7a]
Define ‘Rape’. What are the medical findings you may get in an alleged victim aged 10 years? [1998/20m/7b]
How will you differentiate between true and false virgin. [1997/20m/7a]
Describe with diagrams the procedure of determining the sex from hair. [1996/20m/200w/1d]
How will you confirm a stain to be of blood and determine its species origin? [1996/30m/7b]
An AB blood group man cannot be the father of a child of blood group O – Comment. [1995/20m/200w/1d]
Write in brief the procedure of identifying an individual from bite marks. [1995/20m/7a]
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25 questions
Classify neurotoxic poisons. Discuss in brief the clinical features, treatment and postmortem findings in acute poisoning by ‘opiates’. [2026/10m/7a(i)]
Classify poisons based on the chief symptoms. Describe the legal duties of a medical practitioner in a case of suspected poisoning. [2025/10m/5e]
Discuss how excess dose of paracetamol causes acute hepatocellular toxicity and how you will manage the condition. [2024/5m/7c(ii)]
Classify the various types of poisons. Enumerate the features of Plumbism. Discuss the tests which will show/establish the onset of early stages of Pb poisoning. [2023/15m/7a]
What are organophosphate compounds? Discuss briefly the clinical features, treatment and postmortem findings of a case of organophosphate poisoning. [2022/15m/7a]
Define poison and classify it. Describe the treatment of venomous snakebite. Write a note on ‘designer drug’. [2021/15m/7a]
What are ‘rave parties’? Discuss the magnitude of drug menace in younger generation in our country. What is NDPS Act? [2020/20m/7a]
Write a short note on the management of a case of aluminium phosphide poisoning. [2018/7.5m/7b(i)]
Discuss acute paracetamol poisoning emphasizing on mechanism of toxicity and its treatment. [2017/10m/5c]
Discuss the clinical features, management and post-mortem findings in a case of cyanide poisoning. [2017/15m/7b]
Discuss the physiological action, clinical features and post-mortem findings in a case of death due to alprazolam poisoning. [2016/10m/5e]
A young female has consumed aluminium phosphide. Describe the symptoms, signs and management of such poisoning. [2015/15m/7b]
A young female has consumed carbolic acid accidentally. How will you establish the diagnosis and treat the patient? Describe the expected post-mortem findings in the event of death of such a patient. [2014/15m/7b]
Enumerate the drugs of abuse among young population in India. Describe the long term effects of drug abuse on health and personality of the drug abuser. [2013/20m/8a]
Describe the signs, symptoms and management of chronic lead poisoning. [2012/20m/8b]
Enumerate 7 (Seven) common insecticides used in India. Describe the symptoms, signs, treatment and post-mortem findings in a case of Aluminium phosphide poisoning. [2011/20m/8c]
Describe the signs, symptoms and treatment of acute parathion poisoning. [2010/20m/8c]
Enumerate the drugs of abuse. How will you investigate a death due to poisoning by an overdose of drug of abuse? [2009/20m/8c]
Classify the organophosphorous compounds. Describe the signs, symptoms and management of acute organophosphorus poisoning. [2007/20m/8b]
A 30 year old female has been brought in an unconscious state with pin point pupil. Discuss the differential diagnosis of this case. How would you proceed to achieve the correct diagnosis? [2006/20m/2b]
Describe the signs, symptoms and treatment of acute barbiturate poisoning. [2005/20m/8b]
Classify the ‘Organophosphorus compounds’. Describe the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and management of acute malathion poisoning. [2003/20m/8b]
What do you understand by the term “Envenomation”? Explain. How will you differentiate between colubrine and viperine snake bites? Discuss briefly the management of a case of suspected snake bite. [2002/20m/8c]
Enumerate insecticides used in agriculture. Describe toxic effects of organophosphorus poison in human beings. [2001/20m/8b]
Define ‘Poison’. What do you mean by “Corrosive Poison”? [1995/20m/7c]
7.4] Asphyxial deaths and burns
23 questions
Classify ‘thermal injuries’. How is the total body surface area involved in burns calculated in adults? Give the various causes of death in burns. [2026/10m/5e]
Write a brief note on ‘atypical drowning’. [2026/5m/7a(ii)]
Define ‘drowning’. Enumerate the different modes of death in a case of drowning. List the postmortem findings in a case of wet drowning. [2025/10m/7a(i)]
Describe Diatom Test and enumerate its limitations. [2025/5m/7a(ii)]
Define death due to hanging. What are the probable causes of death in hanging? [2024/10m/7a(i)]
What are the findings in a case of judicial hanging? [2024/5m/7a(ii)]
What is drowning? Explain briefly the different types of drowning. [2022/10m/8b(i)]
Draw a labelled diagram of the hyoid bone. Discuss briefly the various fractures of the hyoid bone. [2022/10m/8b(ii)]
Describe signs of ‘asphyxia’. Enumerate the types of ‘violent asphyxial deaths’. Briefly discuss about ‘sexual asphyxia’. Enumerate the tests for confirmation of semen. State the modus operandi of collection of samples for detection of semen in alleged case of rape victim. [2021/10m/8b(ii)]
Classify burns and discuss its pathophysiology in detail. Discuss the injuries in the victims in a shopping mall fire and medicolegal formalities to be done by the district administration. [2020/10m/5e]
Explain violent asphyxial death. Write about various types of violent asphyxial death. [2019/10m/5e]
Discuss briefly the formula used for calculating the ‘Total Body Surface Area’ involved in burns in an adult and a child. [2018/5m/5e(ii)]
Describe various possible injuries and cause of death in case of successful hanging. [2016/20m/7a]
A dead body of a woman aged about 30 years was found in the river water. Describe how the autopsy surgeon will ascertain on post-mortem examination that the death was due to drowning. [2014/10m/5e]
A 50-year male has been found hanged in a bath-room along with incised wound on wrist, groin and cubital region. How will you establish cause of death and opine whether he has expired of hanging or injuries sustained? [2011/12m/5d]
A married woman was found dead with 100% burns on the body in her house. How will you establish on post-mortem examination that whether burns are ante-mortem or post-mortem in nature? [2011/20m/8a]
Describe how you will proceed to examine the “scene of crime in a case of hanging”. Describe the differentiating features between hanging and strangulation on postmortem examination. [2009/15m/5e]
How do you determine the extent of burn? What is the difference between ante-mortem and postmortem burns? [2006/20m/8a]
How can you differentiate between hanging and strangulation? Discuss in detail. [2006/20m/8b]
Define ‘dry drowning’. Describe postmortem findings in a case of drowning in fresh water. [2005/20m/8a]
Classify the degrees of burn injuries. Describe the postmortem findings in a case of immediate death due to 100% burns by flame. [2003/20m/8a]
Define ‘partial hanging’. Describe typical ligature marks, seen in cases of ante-mortem hanging. How would you differentiate between ante-mortem hanging and post-mortem suspension? [2002/20m/8a]
What is the medico-legal importance of “Diatom”? [2001/20m/200w/5d]
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Last updated: 31 October 2026