Sexual offences: examination of the survivor: 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 · Sexual offences: examination of the survivor

Sample item

A 19-year-old woman reports sexual assault. Which approach is consistent with current Indian guidelines for the medical examination?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Take informed consent for each step, record history and injuries, collect samples, and do not perform the two-finger test

The Ministry of Health guidelines (2014) and the Supreme Court have held that the two-finger test has no scientific basis and violates the survivor's dignity. The examination must be done with informed consent, privacy and a trained examiner, with prompt collection of evidence, treatment (emergency contraception, post-exposure prophylaxis) and psychological support.

Option by option

  • A. Delay the examination for several days until the family arrives

    Delay may lose forensic evidence and delays treatment.

  • B. Take informed consent for each step, record history and injuries, collect samples, and do not perform the two-finger test (correct)

    Correct. Consent, careful documentation and sample collection without the two-finger test are required.

  • C. Perform a two-finger test to assess whether she is habituated to sexual intercourse

    The two-finger test is unscientific and discontinued.

  • D. Examine her without consent because the police have requested it

    Medical examination of an adult requires her own consent.

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 B, Take informed consent for each step, record history and injuries, collect samples, and do not perform the two-finger test. The Ministry of Health guidelines (2014) and the Supreme Court have held that the two-finger test has no scientific basis and violates the survivor's dignity.

Why is "Delay the examination for several days until the family arrives" not the answer?

Delay may lose forensic evidence and delays treatment.

Why is "Perform a two-finger test to assess whether she is habituated to sexu…" not the answer?

The two-finger test is unscientific and discontinued.

Why is "Examine her without consent because the police have requested it" not the answer?

Medical examination of an adult requires her own consent.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sexual offences: examination of the survivor in Forensic Medicine. The examination must be done with informed consent, privacy and a trained examiner, with prompt collection of evidence, treatment (emergency contraception, post-exposure prophylaxis) and psychological support.

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 Sexual offences: examination of the survivor?

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.