Medico legal Aspects and verification in Female Domain i.e.

2.  The organs of reproduction of women
are classified as either external or
internal.
 External Generative Organ-The
pudenda, commonly designated the vulva,
includes all structures visible externally from the
pubis to the perineum, that is, the Mons pubis,
labia Majora and Minora, clitoris, hymen,
vestibule, urethral opening, and various
glandular and vascular structures

4.  Mons Pubis-The mons pubis, or mons veneris, is the fat-filled cushion
that lies over the symphysis pubis. After puberty, the skin of the mons
pubis is covered by curly hair that forms the escutcheon. In women, it is
distributed in a triangular area, the base of which is formed by the upper
margin of the symphysis.
 Labia Majora-These structures vary somewhat in appearance,
principally according to the amount of fat that is contained within the
tissues. The round ligaments terminate at the upper borders. After
repeated childbearing, the labia majora are less prominent. They are 7
to 8 cm in length, 2 to 3 cm in width, and 1 to 1.5 cm in thickness, and
are somewhat tapered at the lower extremities. In children and
nulliparous women , the labia majora usually lie in close apposition,
whereas in multiparous women, they may gape widely
 Labia Minora-The labia minora vary greatly in size and shape. In
nulliparous women, they usually are not visible behind the nonseparated
labia majora. In multiparas, it is common for the labia minora to project
beyond the labia majora,Each labium minus is a thin fold of. The tissues
of the labia minora converge superiorly, where each is divided into two
lamellae; the lower pair fuse to form the frenulum of the clitoris, and the
upper pair merge to form the prepuce. Inferiorly, the labia minora
extend to approach the midline as low ridges of tissue that fuse to form
the fourchette.

6.  Clitoris-The clitoris is the principal female erogenous
organ. It is the homologue of the penis and is located
near the superior extremity of the vulva. This erectile
organ projects downward between the branched
extremities of the labia minora. The clitoris is
composed of a glans, a corpus, and two crura.
 Vestibule-The vestibule is an almond-shaped area
that is enclosed by the labia minora laterally and
extends from the clitoris to the fourchette.In the
mature state, the vestibule usually is perforated by six
openings: the urethra, the vagina, the two ducts of
the Bartholin glands, and, at times, the two ducts of
the paraurethral glands, also called the Skene ducts
and glands.

7. Figure 3

8. Continued…
Vagina-This musculomembranous structure extends from the vulva to
the uterus and is interposed anteriorly and posteriorly between the urinary
bladder and the rectum. Anteriorly, the vagina is separated from the
bladder and urethra by connective tissue, often referred to as the
vesicovaginal septum. Posteriorly, between the lower portion of the vagina
and the rectum, there are similar tissues that together form the
rectovaginal septum. The upper fourth of the vagina is separated from the
rectum by the rectouterine pouch, also called the cul-de-sac of Douglas..
Vaginal length varies considerably, but commonly, the anterior and
posterior vaginal walls are, respectively, 6 to 8 cm and 7 to 10 cm in
length. The upper end of the vaginal vault is subdivided into the anterior,
posterior, and two lateral fornices by the uterine cervix.
Uterus-The uterus consists of a body and a cervix.The cervix protrudes
into the vagina. The uterus is held in position within the pelvis by
condensations of endopelvic fascia, which are called ligaments. These
ligaments include the pubocervical, transverse, cervical ligaments and
the uterosacral ligaments. It is covered by a sheet-like fold of peritoneum,
the broad ligament.

9. Nullity of
marriage
Divorce
Defamation
Rape

11. It means loss of VIRGINITY
It is usually accompanied by tear
of HYMEN layer, as it is torn in first
coition. But not always, as it can
be found intact in Pregnant
women, Prostitutes etc.

12. The hymen is a membrane that surrounds or partially covers
the external vaginal opening. It forms part of the vulva, or
external genitalia, and is similar in structure to the vagina. In
children, although a common appearance of the hymen
is crescent-shaped, many shapes are possible.
TYPES OF HYMEN

13. Cause of rupture of hymen…
Accident
Masturbation
UlcerationScratching
Tampon

14. Medico-Legal Aspects
The presence of HYMEN is not an absolute proof of Virginity. As it
may not be ruptured even after repeated acts of coitus carrying the
property of hyper elasticity, which prevents distortion and allows
prolong displacement of it.
 But the hymen is always present in Virgins and very rarely its is
congenitally absent
PRINCIPAL SIGNS OF VIRGINITY ARE…
VI
• Intact Hymen
RG
• Normal condition of fourchette
and posterior commissure.
IN
• Narrow Vagina with rugose
walls

16. Pregnancy is the fertilization and development of one
or more offspring, known as an embryo or fetus, in a
woman's uterus.
Childbirth usually occurs about 38 weeks after
conception; in women who have a menstrual cycle
length of four weeks, this is approximately 40 weeks
from the start of the last normal menstrual period
(LNMP).

17. Amenorrhea
Morning
Sickness
Enlargement
of the breasts
Pigmentation
of Skin

18. Breast changes as seen during pregnancy. Note the
increase in size and darkening of the areola.
Melasma pigment
changes to the face due
to pregnancy
Nausea & Vomiting

19. Chadwick’s
Sign
Hegar’s
Sign
Linea Nigra Quickening

20. Fluttering movements!
Hegar’s Sign
Linea Nigra in a
woman at 22 weeks
pregnant.
Chadwick’s Sign- Increased
circulation to the vagina early in
pregnancy changes the color
from normal light pink to a purple

21. Palpation of the Entire Fetus
Palpation of Fetal Movement
X-ray
Sonography
Tests based on the presence of human
chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the urine or
blood.

23. The Average Period-
In most women it is 40 weeks or ten the
normal Menstrual Period
The Maximum Period-
Maximum period accepted by English
courts on medical evidence was 331
days.[longer this period larger the infant]
The Minimum Period-
Children born at or after 210 days of
uterine life are viable.

24. Woman can plead to
avoid attendance in court
unless on any risk
Women, sentenced to
death, can avoid her
execution until 6 months
after
delivery[Sec416,CrPC]
Women can feign
pregnancy after
death of her
husband to claim
succession.
In case of Divorce,
she may claim to be
pregnant to receive
more money.
In cases of alleged
concealment of birth
or pregnancy and
infanticide.

25. To assess damages in a
seduction or breach of
promise of marriage case.
When pregnancy is alleged to
be motive for suicide or
murder of unmarried or widow.
When woman
blackmail a man and
accuses that she is
pregnant by him, to
compel marriage.
In allegations that an
unmarried woman,
widow or a wife living
apart from her husband
is pregnant.
When a woman alleges that
she is pregnant in order to get
greater compensation when
her husband dies through the
negligence of some person

26. Medico-Legal
Aspects
 The Preconception And Prenatal Diagnostic
Techniques[Regulation And Prevention Of
Misuse] Act,1994[Amended]. Also commonly
known as PNDT Act.
The Act prohibits determination and disclosure of the sex of fetus . It also
prohibits any advertisements relating to pre-natal determination of sex and
prescribes punishment for its contravention. The person who contravenes the
provisions of this Act is punishable with imprisonment and fine.

27. CONTINUED…
MEDICAL TERMINATION OF
PREGNANCY ACT,1971 (MTP ACT)
An Act to provide for the termination of
certain pregnancies by registered medical
practitioners and for matters connected
therewith or incidental thereto.

28. Continued…
Legitimacy And
Paternity
“Legitimacy is the legal state of a person born in lawful
marriage. If a person is born during the continuance of a
legal marriage, or within 280 days after the dissolution of
marriage by divorce or death of the husband, HIS/HER
birth is presumed to be legitimate.[Sec112, IEA]”
“The child becomes illegitimate or “BASTARD”, if it can be
proved that the husband could not possibly be the father
of child by suitable producing evidence.”

29. Continued…
LEGITIMACY
INHERITANCE,legitmate
child can only inherit
the property
SUPPOSITITIOUS
CHILDREN,FICTIOUS
CHILDREN
PATERNITY

31. Delivery is the culmination of a pregnancy or gestation period
with the expulsion of one or more newborn infants from a woman’s
uterus. The process of normal human childbirth is categorized in
three stages of labor: the shortening and dilation of the cervix,
descent and birth of the infant, and birth of the placenta.

32. Women is pale, exhausted,
with increase in pulse and
slight fever
Perineum is sometimes
lacerated and age of it
may help in estimate the
date of delivery
Labia are tender,
swollen, and lacerated
Cervix is soft and its
edges torn.Internal os
begins to close in 24 hrs
and external os is soft
and admits 2 fingers
Vagina may show
recent tears which
usually heal by 7th day
Abdominal walls are wrinkled,
Irregular, white or with silvery
subcutaneous scars
Uterus is felt like hard
tumor immediately after
delivery. On 6th day it is
midway b/w umbilicus
and pubis
Lochia has a peculiar
sour,disagreeble odor.
In first 5 days it is bright
red and contains large
clots
Intermittent Uterine
Contractions.
Signs Of Recent Delivery in living

33. Signs Of Remote Delivery in living
ABDOMEN-
Abdominal walls tend
to show multiple white
scars on lateral
aspects.
BREASTS-
They are lax, soft and
pendulous. Nipples are
enlarged with areola
darkened.
VULVA-
Vagina is partially
open as labia do not
completely close the
orifice.
CERVIX-
Irregular and show
scars. External os is also
irregular and fissured

34. Signs Of Recent Delivery in DEAD
All local signs present in recent delivery
of living may be present. Some other
changes after death are…
Uterus is flabby for up to 2 days
and then gradually shrinks and
resumes its firmness with its
cavity obliterated.
A large corpus luteum is usually
found in one of the ovaries.
The ovaries and fallopian
tubes are usually congested.
The bladder shows oedema
and hyperaemia and
frequently submucous
extravasation of blood.

35. Signs Of Remote Delivery in DEAD
1
•UTERUS is larger, thicker and heavier.
2
•The Walls are concave from inside
forming a wider and rounded cavity.
3
•The body of uterus is twice the length
of the cervix.

36. Forensic Importance
ABORTION INFANTICIDE
CONCEALME
NT OF BIRTH
LEGITIMACY DIVORCE CHASTITY
BLACKMAIL
FEIGNED
DELIVERY

37. Medico-Legal
Aspects
1
• A Widow can allege that she gave birth to an infant to
inherit her husband
2
• When a murdered newly born infant is found, a woman
suspected to be its mother is examined for signs of
recent delivery
3
• When babies mixed in maternity hospitals, the different
mothers are examined to determine the time passed
since delivery and compare this with the infant’s age.

38. CONTINUED…
4
• Under Sec312 voluntarily caused criminal abortion is
liable for imprisonment up to 3 years.
5
• Under Sec314, if a pregnant woman dies from
miscarriage by offender, he is liable to be
imprisoned up to 7 years.
6
• Under Sec316,causing death of quick unborn child
by any act amounts to culpable homicide and he
can be punished up to 10 years imprisonment.

39. “THE ESSENTIALS OF FORENSIC MEDICINE AND
TOXICOLOGY” DR K.S. NARAYAN REDDY
“Parikh's text book of medical jurisprudence and
toxicology” BY Dr C.K. Parikh
Modi's Medical Jurisprudence & Toxicology By
Editor: Professor B.V. Subramanyam
“Maternal anatomy”, DRUGHEALTH’S
BLOG(http://drughealth.wordpress.com/2009/06/11
/maternal-anatomy/)