Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: sole testimony of the prosecutrix: 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: sole testimony of the prosecutrix

Sample item

In a rape trial the medical examination finds no genital injury and no semen, but the woman gives a consistent account that the court finds trustworthy. What is the legal position in Indian courts?

AConviction is impossible without medical corroborationBConviction needs semen or sperm to be found on the swabsCConviction needs injuries on her body or the accusedDConviction can rest on her testimony alone if it inspires confidence

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Conviction can rest on her testimony alone if it inspires confidence

Indian courts hold that the sole testimony of the prosecutrix, if reliable and inspiring confidence, can support a conviction. Medical evidence is supportive, and its absence does not defeat the case.

Option by option

A. Conviction is impossible without medical corroboration
Medical corroboration is helpful but is not a legal requirement.
B. Conviction needs semen or sperm to be found on the swabs
Semen is not needed, as penetration alone constitutes the offence.
C. Conviction needs injuries on her body or the accused
Injuries are not mandatory, since many survivors have none.
D. Conviction can rest on her testimony alone if it inspires confidence (correct)
Correct. A trustworthy, consistent account is enough without independent corroboration.

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, Conviction can rest on her testimony alone if it inspires confidence. Indian courts hold that the sole testimony of the prosecutrix, if reliable and inspiring confidence, can support a conviction.

Why is "Conviction is impossible without medical corroboration" not the answer?

Medical corroboration is helpful but is not a legal requirement.

Why is "Conviction needs semen or sperm to be found on the swabs" not the answer?

Semen is not needed, as penetration alone constitutes the offence.

Why is "Conviction needs injuries on her body or the accused" not the answer?

Injuries are not mandatory, since many survivors have none.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: sole testimony of the prosecutrix in Forensic Medicine. Medical evidence is supportive, and its absence does not defeat the case.

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 and forensic psychiatry: sole testimony of the prosecutrix?

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.