Question

A dead body was recovered from near a pond by the police. During autopsy, the following finding was observed (image showing markedly wrinkled, pale, sodden skin of the soles of the feet). The below phenomenon is due to

• A. Case of torture in hot water
• B. Case of postmortem hanging
• C. Case of immersion in water for 36 hours
• D. Case of colliquative liquefaction

Hint:

Wrinkled, sodden skin on a body recovered from water indicates how long the body has been submerged -- match the degree of maceration to the correct time frame.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Forensic identification of water immersion:
Finding: Markedly wrinkled, pale, sodden ('washerwoman') skin of soles -- maceration due to prolonged water immersion.

Sequence of immersion changes:
- 1--2 h: Wrinkling of fingertips.
- 6--12 h: Glove-and-stocking appearance (skin peeling).
- >36 h: Mottling, greenish-black discolouration, marked maceration, putrefactive changes begin.

Differentiating other options:
$\text{Torture in hot water}$ -- causes scalding burns, not wrinkled pale skin.
$\text{Postmortem hanging}$ -- shows ligature mark, congestion of face, petechiae.
$\text{Colliquative liquefaction}$ -- adipocere formation under warm, moist, anaerobic conditions; does not present as wrinkled skin.

Conclusion: the sodden, wrinkled feet of a body from near a pond = immersion >36 hours.
\[\boxed{\text{Case of immersion in water for 36 hours}}\]