Forensic psychiatry: criminal responsibility: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Forensic psychiatry: criminal responsibility

Sample item

A man with schizophrenia kills a neighbour in the belief that he is a demon attacking him, and does not realise that the act is wrong. Which legal test governs his criminal responsibility in India?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Section 84 IPC (BNS 22), based on the McNaughten rules

Section 84 IPC (now BNS 22) exempts a person who, because of unsoundness of mind at the time of the act, was incapable of knowing the nature of the act or that it was wrong or contrary to law. It follows the McNaughten rules. Irresistible impulse, the Durham test and diminished responsibility are not recognised as general defences in India.

Option by option

  • A. Section 84 IPC (BNS 22), based on the McNaughten rules (correct)

    Correct. Incapacity to know the nature or wrongfulness of the act at the time is the test.

  • B. Durham product test

    The Durham product test is not adopted in India.

  • C. Irresistible impulse test

    Irresistible impulse is not accepted in Indian law.

  • D. Diminished responsibility, reducing murder to culpable homicide

    India does not recognise diminished responsibility as a general defence.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Forensic Medicine questions

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Section 84 IPC (BNS 22), based on the McNaughten rules. Section 84 IPC (now BNS 22) exempts a person who, because of unsoundness of mind at the time of the act, was incapable of knowing the nature of the act or that it was wrong or contrary to law.

Why is "Durham product test" not the answer?

The Durham product test is not adopted in India.

Why is "Irresistible impulse test" not the answer?

Irresistible impulse is not accepted in Indian law.

Why is "Diminished responsibility, reducing murder to culpable homicide" not the answer?

India does not recognise diminished responsibility as a general defence.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Forensic psychiatry: criminal responsibility in Forensic Medicine. It follows the McNaughten rules. Irresistible impulse, the Durham test and diminished responsibility are not recognised as general defences in India.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Forensic psychiatry: criminal responsibility?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.