Sexual Offences and Abortion Practice Questions

Q: Which is not a method of local violence for procuring criminal abortion?

Cupping. **Explanation:** Criminal abortion involves the illegal termination of pregnancy using various methods, categorized into systemic poisons and local mechanical violence. **Why Cupping is the Correct Answer:** Cupping is a traditional therapeutic practice involving suction on the skin to increase blood flow. While it has been historically used for various ailments, it is **not** a recognized method of local violence for procuring abortion. It does not involve any direct mechanical interference with the pelvic organs or the uterine cavity. **Analysis of Incorrect Options (Methods of Local Violence):** * **Abortion Stick (A):** This is the most common method used by "dais." A wooden stick (often from *Calotropis* or *Plumbago*) is wrapped with an irritant-soaked rag and inserted into the cervical canal to rupture membranes or cause uterine contractions. * **Electricity (B):** The application of a strong electric current to the lower abdomen or directly to the cervix can be used to induce uterine contractions and fetal death. * **Syringing (C):** This involves injecting fluids (like soapy water, potassium permanganate, or antiseptics) into the space between the uterine wall and membranes using a Higginson’s syringe. This causes separation of the placenta or air embolism. **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **Most common cause of death** in criminal abortion via syringing is **Air Embolism**. * **Abortion Stick** acts by both mechanical irritation and chemical action (if coated with irritants). * **Vaginal/Cervical douching** with hot water or chemicals is a common form of local violence. * **Legal Aspect:** In India, abortion is governed by the **MTP Act (1971)**, recently amended in 2021 to allow termination up to 24 weeks for specific categories of women. Any abortion performed outside these provisions is "Criminal Abortion" under **Sections 312-316 of the IPC**.

Q: Which section of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with causing abortion without a woman's consent?

313. **Explanation:** In Forensic Medicine, the legal aspects of abortion are governed by **Sections 312 to 316 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)**. These sections categorize the act based on consent and the outcome for the mother. **Correct Option: B (Section 313 IPC)** Section 313 IPC specifically deals with causing a miscarriage **without the woman's consent**. This is a non-bailable, cognizable offence punishable by life imprisonment or imprisonment up to 10 years, reflecting the gravity of performing the procedure against a woman's will. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Section 312 IPC:** Deals with causing miscarriage **with the woman's consent**. If the woman is "quick with child" (perception of fetal movements), the punishment is more severe. * **Section 314 IPC:** Pertains to **death caused by an act done with intent to cause miscarriage**. It covers scenarios both with and without the woman's consent. * **Section 315 IPC:** Relates to an act done with the **intent to prevent a child being born alive** or to cause it to die after birth. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **MTP Act (1971/2021):** While the IPC criminalizes abortion, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act provides legal immunity to Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) if the abortion is performed under specific legal conditions. * **Consent:** Under the MTP Act, only the **woman’s consent** is required (if >18 years and of sound mind). Husband’s consent is not legally mandatory. * **Punishment:** Causing miscarriage without consent (313 IPC) is one of the few sections where the punishment can extend to **life imprisonment**.

Q: According to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, all of the following are considered as rape, EXCEPT:

Sexual intercourse with one's own wife against her consent. **Explanation:** Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines the acts that constitute rape. Understanding the legal nuances and recent judicial amendments is crucial for Forensic Medicine. **Why Option D is the Correct Answer:** Under Section 375 IPC, there is a specific legal immunity known as the **"Marital Exception."** It states that sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife (provided she is not under 18 years of age) is not rape, even if it is against her will or without her consent. While ethically debated, legally, "marital rape" is currently not recognized as an offense under Section 375. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Option A:** Sexual intercourse with another man’s wife without her consent is rape. (Note: Adultery, previously under Section 497, has been decriminalized, but non-consensual acts remain rape). * **Option B & C:** These involve the **"Age of Consent."** According to the IPC (read with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences - POCSO Act), any sexual act with a girl below **18 years** is considered rape, regardless of consent. While the IPC text mentions 15 years in the exception, the Supreme Court (Independent Thought vs. Union of India) has effectively raised this to 18 years to align with POCSO. Therefore, intercourse with a wife below 15 (or 18) is legally rape. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Section 375:** Defines Rape (7 clauses). * **Section 376:** Prescribes punishment for Rape. * **Section 376A:** Punishment for causing death or persistent vegetative state of the victim. * **Medical Examination:** Consent for the medical examination of a rape victim is taken under **Section 164A CrPC**. * **Two-Finger Test:** Strictly prohibited and considered a violation of the victim's right to privacy.

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: What is sexual masochism?

Sexual gratification is obtained by suffering pain.. ### Explanation **Sexual Masochism** is a paraphilic disorder where sexual arousal and gratification are derived from the experience of being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer physical or psychological pain. The term originates from **Leopold von Sacher-Masoch**, an Austrian writer who described these practices in his literature. #### Analysis of Options: * **Option A (Correct):** Masochism involves the **reception** of pain. The individual assumes a submissive role to achieve sexual climax. * **Option B (Incorrect):** This describes **Sexual Sadism**, where gratification is obtained by **inflicting** pain or humiliation on others. (Named after Marquis de Sade). * **Option C (Incorrect):** This describes **Exhibitionism**, a disorder characterized by the urge to expose one's genitals to unsuspecting strangers. * **Option D (Incorrect):** This describes **Frotteurism**, which involves obtaining sexual pleasure by rubbing or touching one's genitals against a non-consenting person, usually in crowded places. #### High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG: * **Sadomasochism:** When an individual oscillates between both roles (inflicting and receiving pain). * **Bondage:** A common subset of masochism involving being tied or restrained. * **Auto-erotic Hypoxia (Masochistic practice):** A dangerous form of masochism where the individual induces self-strangulation to enhance orgasm via cerebral hypoxia; this is a frequent cause of accidental "sexual asphyxia" deaths. * **Legal Significance:** In forensic psychiatry, these are classified under **Paraphilic Disorders** (DSM-5). Consent is not a legal defense if grievous hurt is caused during these acts.

Q: Stillbirth is defined as a fetus born dead at or after what gestational age?

28 weeks. **Explanation:** In Forensic Medicine and Obstetrics, **Stillbirth** is defined as the birth of a fetus that shows no signs of life (no breathing, heartbeat, or voluntary muscle movement) at or after **28 weeks of gestation**. **1. Why 28 weeks is correct:** Under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act and standard forensic practice in India, 28 weeks is the legal threshold for stillbirth. This coincides with the traditional age of **viability**—the point at which a fetus is capable of independent existence outside the womb. If a fetus is born dead before this period, it is medically classified as an **abortion (miscarriage)**. **2. Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **A (16 weeks) & B (18 weeks):** These are far below the age of viability. Fetuses born at this stage are classified as spontaneous abortions. * **C (24 weeks):** While the WHO and many developed countries have lowered the definition of stillbirth/viability to 24 weeks (or 500g birth weight) due to advanced neonatal care, **Indian Law and the MTP Act** historically adhere to the 28-week limit for forensic and statistical purposes. **3. High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **MTP Act Amendment (2021):** Note that for legal termination of pregnancy (MTP), the upper limit has been increased to **24 weeks** for specific categories of women, but the definition of stillbirth remains 28 weeks. * **Signs of Stillbirth:** Presence of **Maceration** (aseptic autolysis) is a definitive sign that the fetus died in utero at least 12–24 hours before delivery. * **Hydrostatic Test:** This test is used to differentiate a stillbirth from a live birth. A negative test (lungs sink in water) suggests stillbirth, provided decomposition hasn't occurred. * **Spalding’s Sign:** Radiological evidence of overlapping skull bones, indicating fetal death (usually occurs 4–7 days after death).

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."

Question 1

What is the defining characteristic of a pedophile in relation to their sexual acts?

Accepted Answer

Engaging in sexual acts with children

Answer

Engaging in sexual acts with older women

Answer

Engaging in sexual acts with homosexual adults

Answer

Engaging in sexual acts with hijras

Question 2

Which is not a method of local violence for procuring criminal abortion?

Accepted Answer

Cupping

Answer

Abortion stick

Answer

Electricity

Answer

Syringing

Question 3

Which section of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with causing abortion without a woman's consent?

Accepted Answer

313

Answer

312

Answer

314

Answer

315

Question 4

According to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, all of the following are considered as rape, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Sexual intercourse with one's own wife against her consent

Answer

Sexual intercourse with a woman who is the wife of another person

Answer

Sexual intercourse with one's own wife below 15 years of age

Answer

Sexual intercourse with a person below 16 years of age

Question 5

What is the generally accepted gestational age for fetal viability?

Accepted Answer

28 weeks

Answer

25 weeks

Answer

30 weeks

Answer

32 weeks

Question 6

What is sexual masochism?

Accepted Answer

Sexual gratification is obtained by suffering pain.

Answer

Sexual gratification is obtained by inflicting pain.

Answer

Sexual gratification by exposing one's genitalia.

Answer

Sexual gratification by rubbing private parts.

Question 7

Stillbirth is defined as a fetus born dead at or after what gestational age?

Accepted Answer

28 weeks

Answer

16 weeks

Answer

18 weeks

Answer

24 weeks

Question 8

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 9

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 10

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

Sexual Offences and Abortion — MCQs

Sexual Offences and Abortion — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?