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DNB Forensic Medicine Previous Year Questions

These are the DNB Forensic Medicine (Forensic Medicine & Toxicology) theory questions asked by NBEMS in the December 2025 and June 2025 exams, listed paper by paper as they appeared. The Prep DNB app has all 18 DNB sessions from December 2014 to December 2025 — 705 questions in total — with repeat-question tracking, examiner keywords and MCQs.

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DNB Forensic Medicine December 2025 Question Paper

Paper 1

  1. a) What are the advantages of forensic pathologist visiting the scene of death? [4] b) Give an account of different methodologies of search during crime scene investigation. [6]
  2. a) Discuss the role of entomology of the cadaver in estimation of post-mortem interval and give a list of the 8 waves of insect infestations with the time line. [4] b) Describe the life cycles of Calliphora and Sarcophaga flies with illustrations. [6]
  3. Describe Tanner stages of development of secondary sexual characters with reference to different ages in both sexes. [10]
  4. a) Define rape as per section 63 of Bhartiya Nyay (second) Sanhita (BNS) 2023. [5] b) Write down the punishments for rape according to section 64 to 71 of BNS. [5]
  5. a) Define embryo and foetus. [2] b) Write down the features suggestive of seven months foetus and a full term foetus. [6] c) What is rule of Haase and Haase's modification of Morisson's law? [2]
  6. Give a detailed account of age related morphological changes in symphysis pubis with emphasis on the Suchey-Brooks system. [10]
  7. a) Describe principle of Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS)'. [5] b) Discuss its forensic use. [5]
  8. a) Define forensic limnology. [2] b) Give a critical analysis of the 'Diatom test' and its implications for medico-legal investigations. [8]
  9. a) Discuss mitochondrial DNA. [5] b) What is its forensic importance? [5]
  10. Discuss in detail the life cycle of a research. [10]

Paper 2

  1. Discuss different types of injuries caused to pedestrians in road traffic accidents. [10]
  2. Discuss coup and contrecoup lesions. What are their medico-legal significance? [5+5]
  3. a) Discuss medico-legal aspects of artificial insemination. [5] b) What are the different procedures of assisted reproductive technology? [5]
  4. a) Discuss the procedure for declaration of brain stem death in accordance with Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act. [5] b) Justify the recommendations regarding medico-legal post-mortem examination of a case of organ donor, as per the rules of the said Act notified in 2014. [5]
  5. a) Munchausen's syndrome. [5] b) Munchausens syndrome by proxy. [5]
  6. Define torture. What are the different physical findings observed during post-mortem examination in cases of different torture techniques? [2+8]
  7. A dried suspected seminal stain was present on the undergarment of an alleged sexual assault victim. How would you proceed for collection of material? What tests should be employed for examination of seminal fluid? [5+5]
  8. a) Discuss rights of persons with mental illness according to chapter 5 of Mental Healthcare (MHC) Act 2017. [6] b) Write prohibited procedures as per MHC Act 2017. [4]
  9. a) What is medical indemnity insurance? [2] b) Enumerate four cases of national importance pertinent to medical negligence in Indian courts of law. [2] c) What are the salient points regarding the medical negligence in the judgement of Kusum Sharma vs Batra's Hospital, 2010 case? [6]
  10. a) Define 'Substance Use Disorder. [3] b) Briefly describe the salient features of NDPS Act 1985 and its amendments. [7]

Paper 3

  1. Dead body of a 13-year-old boy is to be retrieved from an illegally buried site after 15 days of burial. Give an account of the complete medico-legal management of the case to aid investigations by the law enforcing agencies. [10]
  2. Different methods of chemical warfare. Discuss its possible consequences. [5+5]
  3. The dead body of a 16-year-old girl with a history of amenorrhea for last 5 months, who died following 'criminal abortion', has been brought for medicolegal autopsy. Discuss in detail the findings of autopsy examination and their medico-legal implications. [6+4]
  4. A 4-year-old child was accidentally entrapped in a closed car for about 1 hour in tropical region and was brought dead to hospital. a) Give a detailed description of the post-mortem examination findings. [5] b) Explain with analysis how will you arrive at the cause of death after relevant investigations. [5]
  5. a) Mechanism, order of appearance and medico-legal importance of rigor mortis. [2+1+2] b) Discuss conditions simulating rigor mortis. [5]
  6. What is plumbism? Discuss clinical features and laboratory findings in cases of plumbism. [2+(4+4)]
  7. A death has occurred in an alleged 'Encounter' by the police and the body has been brought for post mortem examination. a) Describe the procedure for preliminary examination of the clothing and collection of evidences for gun shot residue. [3] b) Describe the role of pre-autopsy radiology in such cases. [2] c) What are the protocols and procedures and precautions that you are required to follow during examination and documentation of the fire arm ammunition wounds? [5]
  8. a) What is 'Sewer gas? [2] b) Discuss the pathophysiology, and findings of post-mortem examination in case where cause of death is due to sewer gas exposure. [5] c) Elucidate the methods of sample collection and extraction of gaseous poisons for forensic analysis. [3]
  9. a) Enumerate the different types of emboli. [2] b) Elucidate the etiopathogenesis and pathophysiology of embolism. [4] c) Discuss in detail the diagnosis of fat embolism at autopsy. [4]
  10. A 25-year-old surgeon was found lying on the floor in a room locked from inside. A plastic bag was found covering the face and head, an IV cannula was found in situ, left open, on the dorsum of left hand, with around 200 ml of dried blood on the floor around the hand. A syringe with a drop of liquid in its adapter was found close to his right hand. a) Describe how you will perform the scene investigation including evidence collection in this case. [4] b) Design standard operating protocol for conducting medico-legal autopsy and opinion framing for such cases of complex suicide. [6]

Paper 4

  1. Discuss in detail with critical analysis of deposition of evidence through video conferencing in the Indian courts of law. [10]
  2. a) Enumerate the different methods clinical estimation of age from the teeth in a living person. [4] b) Describe the methodology of Demirjian system with illustrative diagrams. [6]
  3. a) Describe in detail the procedure of disaster victim identification. [5] b) Outline the methodology of airplane crash investigations. [5]
  4. a) Discuss the Supreme courtssrecommendations for passive euthanasia in our country. [4] b) Describe the procedures to be followed for recording of Advance directive and its implementation vis-a-vis the multiple layers of 'checks and balances'. Illustrate with a flow chart. [6]
  5. a) Discuss about different issues in medical practices related to Consumer Protection Act, 2019. [7] b) Describe Need of Medical Indemnity Insurance in present scenario. [3]
  6. a) Precautionary measures to be taken during autopsy of a case of death due to suspected exposure to radioactive material. [3] b) Discuss in detail the pathological findings at autopsy. [4] c) Give a brief account of the ancillary investigations that are recommended. [3]
  7. Discuss the main provisions of Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994 and discuss its amendment in 2003. [10]
  8. a) Discuss the ethical aspects of healthcare in gender dysphoria. [3] b) List the duties of clinical establishments in the health care of trans-gender as per Transgender Rights Act, 2019. [3] c) Give an account of medico-legal issues associated with sex reassignment surgeries. [4]
  9. Give a detailed account on ethical and medico-legal aspects of 'Tele-Medicine. [10]
  10. a) Short Tandem Repeat profiling and its current status. [4+1] b) Discuss application, ethical issues and medico-legal aspects of human cloning. [1+2+2]

DNB Forensic Medicine June 2025 Question Paper

Paper 1

  1. Discuss the physiology involved in sexual intercourse with reference to male erectile dysfunction. [10]
  2. Describe briefly the structures of the neck that are relevant to understand that death was due to violent mechanical asphyxia. [10]
  3. What is shock? What are the various types of shock? Discuss the pathophysiology of septic shock. [2+3+5]
  4. Describe the anatomy of fetal circulation. Describe the anatomical changes occurring in the fetus during the first week of birth. [5+5]
  5. Describe the histopathology of wound healing. Discuss the immunohistochemistry for determination of age of wound. [7+3]
  6. a) Explain the terms - Efficacy, Margin of safety and LD50, in relation to a drug, with suitable illustrations. [2+2+2] b) Discuss the metabolism and elimination of methyl alcohol. [4]
  7. Discuss how postmortem protein degradation can be employed to estimate the postmortem interval. [10]
  8. Describe the various external and internal changes a woman would undergo within two weeks after delivering a term fetus. [10]
  9. Describe the various methods of embalming. Describe the composition of embalming fluids. Briefly discuss the medicolegal aspects of embalming. [3+3+4]
  10. Enumerate the basic responsibilities of the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC). Discuss the review procedures, monitoring and record keeping by the IEC. [3+7]

Paper 2

  1. An unaccompanied 17-year-old married girl comes to the hospital for antenatal care for her first trimester pregnancy. Discuss the medicolegal issues involved in such a case. Briefly describe the provisions of Indian law in such scenario. [6+4]
  2. What is surrogacy? Write a note on the medicolegal implications of surrogacy. [2+8]
  3. Discuss the role of consent and its components in research involving human subjects. [10]
  4. Write a note on Mendels laws of inheritance and exclusion of paternity. [10]
  5. Write a note on 'diminished responsibility' in mental illness. Briefly discuss the civil rights of a mentally ill person. [4+6]
  6. Describe various sections of BNS and BNSS applicable to routine medicolegal practice in India. Discuss major changes in comparison to earlier relevant provisions of IPC & CrPC . [7+3]
  7. Discuss the duties of the registered medical practitioner in organ transplantation under the transplantation of the human organs and tissues rules, 2014. What is the procedure for cadaveric donation of organs or tissue in medicolegal cases? [6+4]
  8. Define subpoena. Discuss in light of the changes as per the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Samhita, 2023. Write a note on conduct money. [2+6+2]
  9. What is a medicolegal case? Enumerate the types of cases that would fit into the medicolegal category. Discuss the duties of the registered medical practitioner in management of medicolegal cases. [2+3+5]
  10. Discuss the ethical and medicolegal aspects of practicing medicine through the online platform or virtual media (telemedicine). [10]

Paper 3

  1. a) Write a note on composition of snake venom. [5] b) How will you manage a case of bite by a Krait? [5]
  2. Urine is considered as the toxicologistssgold. Explain this statement with suitable examples. [10]
  3. Describe section 320 of Indian penal code and its amendment as per BNS. Discuss medicolegal significance of dangerous injury and dangerous weapon. [3+(3+4)]
  4. A 28-year-old farmer is found dead under a large tree in the open field on a rainy day. How will you proceed with the medicolegal investigation of this case and arrive at a logical conclusion? [10]
  5. Discuss the absorption and elimination of ethyl alcohol in the human body with special reference to the factors influencing the absorption rate of alcohol. [10]
  6. Briefly discuss the common postmortem artefacts which could be confused with antemortem injuries. [10]
  7. Discuss carbon monoxide toxicity in brief including its physiology, treatment and postmortem diagnosis. [10]
  8. The dead body of a 23-year-old woman is found in a decomposed state from a forest. Discuss the various diagnostic challenges in medicolegal autopsy and how would you proceed to resolve them in such a case? [10]
  9. a) How will you differentiate suicidal from homicidal cut throat injuries? [6] b) What is the relevance of crime scene in such cases? [4]
  10. Discuss medicolegal investigation of a dead body found on the rail tracks with emphasis on reconstruction of events with possible applicable scenarios. [10]

Paper 4

  1. Discuss the fatality management at various levels involving a train accident with around 300 casualties and many more injured. [10]
  2. Briefly discuss the MTP amendment Act, 2021 and its rules. Write a note on fatal maternal complications of criminal abortion. [5+5]
  3. How and why should you integrate advanced imaging techniques into your daily forensic practice? [10]
  4. Discuss the analytical methods/techniques required for running a bedside clinical toxicology laboratory. [10]
  5. Discuss the ethics, law and the rights of the accused in relation to brain mapping and narcoanalysis. [10]
  6. Discuss the ethical and legal issues of a plastic surgery of the face in which the facial identity is changed. [10]
  7. What is necrobiome? Discuss the role of the necrobiome in estimation of the postmortem interval. [10]
  8. How 'psychological autopsy''is useful in forensic practice? Describe itsspros and cons. [7+3]
  9. Discuss the uses of nanotechnology in medicine. Mention its implications for the future of healthcare. Briefly discuss the possible ethical issues in such cases. [3+3+4]

High-Yield DNB Forensic Medicine Topics

A selection of 21 of the 55 important topics curated in the app from repeated DNB Forensic Medicine questions.

Medicolegal acts and ethics — highest yield

  • Medical negligence: Bolam/Bolitho tests, res ipsa loquitur, civil vs criminal liability, recent SC judgments
  • Consent: informed, implied, expressed; age of consent; emergency and loco parentis
  • MTP Act 1971 and 2021 amendments: indications, gestational limits, approval, criminal abortion

Autopsy and time since death

  • Medicolegal autopsy: indications, rules, techniques (Virchow, Rokitansky, Letulle, Ghon)
  • Post-mortem changes: algor, rigor, livor mortis — mechanism, factors, medicolegal significance
  • Decomposition, adipocere, and mummification

Asphyxial and mechanical deaths

  • Hanging: ligature mark, complete vs incomplete, suicidal vs homicidal differentiation
  • Strangulation: ligature vs manual throttling, hyoid fracture, autopsy findings
  • Drowning: wet vs dry, diatom test, Gettler chloride test, diagnosis challenges

Sexual offences and reproductive jurisprudence

  • Rape (BNS Section 63): survivor examination, evidence collection, two-finger test ban
  • Sexual assault kit: sample collection, chain of custody, DNA preservation
  • Virginity examination medicolegal aspects; pregnancy diagnosis and duration estimation

Identification

  • Fingerprint: classification (loops, whorls, arches), ridge characteristics, dactyloscopy
  • DNA profiling: STR, Y-STR, touch DNA, chain of custody, DNA Technology Bill
  • Age estimation: ossification centres, Greulich-Pyle, dental age (Demirjian/Gustafson)

Toxicology

  • General toxicology: sample collection, viscera preservation, poison information centre
  • Organophosphorus poisoning: cholinergic crisis, atropine, oximes, autopsy findings
  • Snake venom: neurotoxic vs haemototoxic, ASV, autopsy

Forensic psychiatry and special topics

  • Criminal responsibility: McNaughten rules, diminished responsibility, irresistible impulse
  • Insanity defence, automatism, lucid interval, testamentary capacity
  • Lie detection: polygraph, narcoanalysis, brain fingerprinting — legal admissibility in India

Older DNB Forensic Medicine Question Papers

The remaining 16 papers are available in the Prep DNB app, organized paper-wise with repeat-question tracking.

Get all 18 papers in the app

Previous Year Questions for Other DNB Subjects