Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: examination of the accused: 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: examination of the accused

Sample item

A man is arrested six hours after an alleged rape and the doctor wishes to show on his body evidence of recent vaginal contact. Which specimen and test is appropriate?

APenile skin tested with Barberio's reagentBGlans swab examined for spermatozoa after Gram stainingCUrethral swab cultured for gonococciDGlans swab examined for glycogen-rich vaginal epithelial cells with iodine

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Glans swab examined for glycogen-rich vaginal epithelial cells with iodine

Vaginal epithelial cells are rich in glycogen, so cells recovered from the glans and coronal sulcus stain mahogany brown with iodine. This points to recent vaginal contact. His own semen would confound sperm or spermine tests, and a gonococcal culture is unrelated.

Option by option

A. Penile skin tested with Barberio's reagent
Barberio's test detects spermine in semen, which could be his own and is not specific for vaginal contact.
B. Glans swab examined for spermatozoa after Gram staining
Sperm on his glans may be his own and would not show contact with the survivor.
C. Urethral swab cultured for gonococci
A gonococcal culture detects infection, not recent intercourse.
D. Glans swab examined for glycogen-rich vaginal epithelial cells with iodine (correct)
Correct. Glycogenated vaginal cells on the glans stain brown with iodine and indicate recent vaginal contact.

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.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Glans swab examined for glycogen-rich vaginal epithelial cells with iodine. Vaginal epithelial cells are rich in glycogen, so cells recovered from the glans and coronal sulcus stain mahogany brown with iodine.

Why is "Penile skin tested with Barberio's reagent" not the answer?

Barberio's test detects spermine in semen, which could be his own and is not specific for vaginal contact.

Why is "Glans swab examined for spermatozoa after Gram staining" not the answer?

Sperm on his glans may be his own and would not show contact with the survivor.

Why is "Urethral swab cultured for gonococci" not the answer?

A gonococcal culture detects infection, not recent intercourse.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: examination of the accused in Forensic Medicine. This points to recent vaginal contact. His own semen would confound sperm or spermine tests, and a gonococcal culture is unrelated.

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: examination of the accused?

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.