Question

In Forensic Sciences, "washer-women's marks" are called when:

• A. a female corpse in found drowning and water is inhaled causing severe chest pain as the cause of death
• B. washer women commit crime by dawning and suffocating the victim in water
• C. the corpse has remained in water for more than twelve hours, the skin of hands and feet show a bleached and sodden appearance.
• D. a bloodstain pattern is created on a wet bloody surface where a recognizable image is created on the body.

Hint:

Washer-woman's marks indicate prolonged immersion in water but do not necessarily prove drowning.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: "Washer-woman's marks" is a forensic term used to describe a characteristic change seen in the skin of a dead body after prolonged immersion in water.

Step 1: Meaning of washer-woman's marks.
When a body remains immersed in water for several hours, the outer skin absorbs water and becomes pale, wrinkled, and swollen.

Step 2: Area where marks appear.
These changes are commonly observed on:
• Fingers
• Palms
• Soles

Step 3: Forensic importance.
These marks help forensic experts estimate the duration of immersion in water.

Step 4: Correct option.
Option (C) correctly describes the bleached and sodden appearance after prolonged immersion.