Sexual Offences and Abortion Practice Questions

Q: What is the generally accepted gestational age for fetal viability?

28 weeks. **Explanation:** **Viability** refers to the stage of fetal development at which the fetus is capable of maintaining an independent extra-uterine existence. In the context of Forensic Medicine and the Indian legal system, **28 weeks (7 lunar months)** is the generally accepted gestational age for fetal viability. * **Why Option B is Correct:** At 28 weeks, the fetus typically weighs approximately 1000–1100 grams and measures about 35 cm. At this stage, the lungs have developed surfactant and the pulmonary vascular bed is sufficiently mature to allow for gas exchange, making survival outside the womb possible with standard medical care. * **Why Options A, C, and D are Incorrect:** * **25 weeks:** While modern Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) can sometimes support life at 24–25 weeks, this is considered "extreme prematurity" and is not the standard legal or forensic benchmark for general viability in India. * **30 and 32 weeks:** These represent advanced stages of prematurity where the prognosis is significantly better, but they occur well after the initial threshold of viability has been crossed. **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** 1. **MTP Act (India):** The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021, allows for abortion up to **24 weeks** for specific categories of women, but there is no upper age limit in cases of substantial fetal abnormalities (decided by a Medical Board). 2. **Hess’s Rule:** Used to calculate the age of the fetus. For the first 5 months: $\text{Length (cm)} = \sqrt{\text{Age in months}}$. For the last 5 months: $\text{Length (cm)} = \text{Age in months} \times 5$. 3. **Legal Significance:** A viable fetus is considered a "person" in certain legal contexts; causing the death of a quickened/viable fetus can attract charges under Section 312-316 of the IPC.

Q: Sodomy is punishable under which section of the Indian Penal Code?

Section 377 IPC. **Explanation:** **Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)** defines "Unnatural Offences." It states that whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman, or animal shall be punished. In forensic medicine, **Sodomy** (anal intercourse between two males or a male and a female) falls under this section. *Note on Legal Status:* While the Supreme Court of India (Navtej Singh Johar vs. Union of India, 2018) decriminalized consensual homosexual acts between adults, Section 377 remains on the statute books to punish non-consensual acts and bestiality. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Section 354 IPC:** Deals with assault or criminal force to a woman with the intent to **outrage her modesty**. * **Section 375 IPC:** Defines **Rape**. It specifically outlines the criteria for sexual assault against a woman. * **Section 378 IPC:** Pertains to **Theft**, which is a property-related offence and entirely unrelated to sexual offences. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Active Agent vs. Passive Agent:** In sodomy, the active agent is the "Pederast" and the passive agent is the "Catamite." * **Signs of Chronic Sodomy:** Look for the **"Funnel-shaped anus"** (due to loss of perianal fat), patulous anus, loss of sphincter tone, and "reflex anal dilatation" (Geoghegan's sign). * **Acute Findings:** Fissures, abrasions, and the presence of spermatozoa/acid phosphatase in anal swabs. * **Tribadism:** Also known as "Lesbianism," it is not punishable under Section 377 as it does not involve "penetration."

Q: Fecundation ab extra means:

Insemination without penetration of the vagina by the penis. **Explanation:** **Fecundation ab extra** (literally meaning "fertilization from without") is a significant concept in forensic medicine and gynecology. It refers to the occurrence of conception and pregnancy following the deposition of semen on the vulva or the external genitalia, **without actual penetration** of the vagina by the penis. 1. **Why Option C is Correct:** The underlying medical concept is that motile spermatozoa can travel from the external labia, through the hymen (even if intact), and into the vaginal canal, eventually reaching the fallopian tubes to fertilize an ovum. This is forensically important because it proves that a woman can be pregnant while still being a *virgo intacta* (having an intact hymen). 2. **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Option A (Atavism):** This refers to the reappearance of a genetic trait after several generations (characteristics of grandparents appearing in grandchildren). * **Option B (Posthumous Child):** A child born after the legal or biological death of the father is termed a posthumous child. * **Option D (Incest):** Sexual intercourse between individuals who are closely related by blood (within prohibited degrees of relationship) is defined as incest. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Superfecundation:** Fertilization of two different ova released in the same menstrual cycle by two separate acts of intercourse (potentially by different fathers). * **Superfetation:** Fertilization of a second ovum when a fetus is already present in the uterus (extremely rare in humans). * **Precocity:** Premature development of sexual characteristics (before age 8 in girls, 9 in boys). * **Forensic Significance:** Fecundation ab extra is a common defense in cases where pregnancy is present but the woman claims no penetration occurred, or in cases of alleged rape where the hymen is found to be intact.

Q: A 35-year-old man, who presents dressed in women's clothing, reports deriving sexual pleasure from this act. What is the diagnosis?

Eonism. **Explanation:** The correct diagnosis is **Eonism**, also known as **Transvestism** or cross-dressing. This is a paraphilic disorder where an individual (typically male) derives sexual arousal or pleasure from wearing clothes of the opposite sex. The term "Eonism" is derived from the Chevalier d'Éon, a famous 18th-century French diplomat who lived the latter half of his life as a woman. **Analysis of Options:** * **A. Eonism (Correct):** As described, it involves the act of cross-dressing for sexual gratification. It is important to distinguish this from gender dysphoria; in Eonism, the primary motivation is often fetishistic or sexual pleasure. * **B. Ipsation:** This is a medical synonym for **masturbation** (self-stimulation for sexual pleasure). It does not involve cross-dressing. * **C. Peeping Tom:** Also known as **Voyeurism**, this refers to deriving sexual pleasure from secretly observing others while they are undressed, naked, or engaged in sexual activity. * **D. Mixoscopia:** This is a form of voyeurism where the individual derives pleasure specifically from **watching others engage in sexual intercourse**. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Frotteurism:** Achieving sexual pleasure by rubbing one’s pelvic area against a non-consenting person in a crowded place. * **Sadism vs. Masochism:** Sadism is deriving pleasure from inflicting pain; Masochism is deriving pleasure from receiving pain. * **Bestiality (Zooerasty):** Sexual intercourse with animals. * **Necrophilia:** Sexual attraction to or intercourse with a corpse. * **Exhibitionism:** Deliberate exposure of genitals to unsuspecting strangers for sexual excitement (often referred to as "Indecent Exposure").

Q: In cases of examination of victims of sexual offense, what is the use of spraying toluidine blue?

Recent micro injuries. **Explanation:** **Toluidine Blue** is a nuclear-binding acidophilic dye that has a high affinity for the exposed nuclei of the basal layer of the epithelium. **1. Why the correct answer is right:** In cases of sexual assault, **recent micro-injuries** (such as posterior fourchette lacerations or vestibular tears) may not be visible to the naked eye. When a 1% aqueous solution of Toluidine Blue is applied to the genital area and then wiped with a lubricant or saline, the dye is retained in areas where the continuity of the squamous epithelium is broken, exposing the underlying nuclei. This "staining" highlights **acute/recent superficial lacerations** that would otherwise be missed during a routine physical examination. **2. Why the incorrect options are wrong:** * **Option A:** Clotted blood is identified via physical examination or chemical tests like the Kastle-Meyer test; Toluidine blue is not used for blood identification. * **Option B:** As an injury heals, re-epithelialization occurs. Once the epithelial barrier is restored, the dye can no longer penetrate to the basal nuclei, making it ineffective for **partially healed** or old injuries. * **Option C:** Dried semen traces are identified using a **Wood’s Lamp** (fluorescence) or chemical tests like the Acid Phosphatase test. **3. Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Colposcopy** is the gold standard for identifying genital trauma, but Toluidine Blue is a cost-effective, "poor man’s colposcopy." * **False Positives:** The dye can stain mucus, semen, or pre-existing inflammatory conditions (like vulvovaginitis), so results must be interpreted carefully. * **Legal Note:** Consent must be obtained before application, as it is an invasive staining procedure.

Question 1

What is the generally accepted gestational age for fetal viability?

Accepted Answer

28 weeks

Answer

25 weeks

Answer

30 weeks

Answer

32 weeks

Question 2

Impotence is not a feature of which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Bilateral castration after puberty

Answer

Diphallia (Double penis)

Answer

Hypospadias

Answer

Penile amputation

Question 3

Sodomy is punishable under which section of the Indian Penal Code?

Accepted Answer

Section 377 IPC

Answer

Section 354 IPC

Answer

Section 375 IPC

Answer

Section 378 IPC

Question 4

What is the definition of buggery?

Accepted Answer

Anal intercourse between a man and a woman

Answer

Anal intercourse between a man and an animal

Answer

Sexual intercourse between two women

Answer

The passive victim of anal intercourse

Question 5

Fecundation ab extra means:

Accepted Answer

Insemination without penetration of the vagina by the penis

Answer

Child having the characteristic of grandparents

Answer

Birth of a child after the death of the father

Answer

Sexual intercourse with blood relations

Question 6

Impotence may be pleaded as a ground for defense in males in all the following conditions except?

Accepted Answer

Rape

Answer

Divorce

Answer

Adultery

Answer

Unnatural sexual offense

Question 7

A 35-year-old man, who presents dressed in women's clothing, reports deriving sexual pleasure from this act. What is the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Eonism

Answer

Ipsation

Answer

Peeping tom

Answer

Mixoscopia

Question 8

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act does not protect the act of termination of pregnancy beyond which gestational limit?

Accepted Answer

20 weeks

Answer

24 weeks

Answer

28 weeks

Answer

30 weeks

Question 9

Under the MTP Act, termination of pregnancy can be done by which of the following medical professionals?

Accepted Answer

Any registered medical practitioner with an MD/MS degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Answer

Any registered medical practitioner

Answer

Any registered medical practitioner with 6 months of residency in any department

Answer

Any registered medical practitioner with a minimum of 3 months of residency in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Question 10

In cases of examination of victims of sexual offense, what is the use of spraying toluidine blue?

Accepted Answer

Recent micro injuries

Answer

Identification of clotted blood on injuries

Answer

Partially healed micro injuries

Answer

Identify dried semen traces

Sexual Offences and Abortion — MCQs

Sexual Offences and Abortion — MCQs

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