Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: automatism: 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 and forensic psychiatry: automatism

Sample item

After a complex partial seizure, an epileptic man assaults a bystander without any awareness or later memory. Which medicolegal concept describes an act performed without conscious volition in this way?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Automatism

Automatism is behaviour performed without conscious control or awareness, as after epileptic seizures or in sleepwalking. The act lacks mens rea. In irresistible impulse the person is aware that the act is wrong and cannot restrain himself.

Option by option

  • A. Compulsion

    Compulsion is a repetitive urge that the person is aware of and tries to resist.

  • B. Malingering

    Malingering is feigning for gain, and he has genuine amnesia.

  • C. Irresistible impulse

    Irresistible impulse implies awareness and loss of control, not absence of awareness.

  • D. Automatism (correct)

    Correct. Unconscious, involuntary behaviour after a seizure is automatism.

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.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Automatism. Automatism is behaviour performed without conscious control or awareness, as after epileptic seizures or in sleepwalking.

Why is "Compulsion" not the answer?

Compulsion is a repetitive urge that the person is aware of and tries to resist.

Why is "Malingering" not the answer?

Malingering is feigning for gain, and he has genuine amnesia.

Why is "Irresistible impulse" not the answer?

Irresistible impulse implies awareness and loss of control, not absence of awareness.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: automatism in Forensic Medicine. The act lacks mens rea. In irresistible impulse the person is aware that the act is wrong and cannot restrain himself.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 and forensic psychiatry: automatism?

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.