Asaram case: Sexual potency test? What is that!

Indore, Sept 3: Sexual potency test has become an integral part of criminal investigations in rape cases these days.

Although this is being adopted for quite some time for investigating crimes, it has suddenly taken a centre-stage in Asaram's case. The self-styled godman, after getting arrested on Sunday claimed his innocence, but one sexual potency test turned the table completely against him. He passed it.

What is sexual potency test?

"Modi's Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology" (a textbook used for teaching in hospitals, and as a reference book in courts) states "in India, a suspect/accused is routinely sent to the doctors by Judicial Magistrates and the police for the examination of sexual potency." Furthermore, it establishes whether a person is physically capable of committing sexual acts.

Another aspect of the test looks into any kind of 'obvious anatomical anomaly'. For example, absence of the male organ (meaning absolute impotence), genetic disorders or illnesses (that may cause problem in copulation).

Psychiatric and stress-related issues are also checked during the test. Nocturnal Penile Tumescence, or NPT is another test that is conducted on rape accused. This measures the spontaneous erections that occur at night, especially during the rapid-eye movement phase of the sleep and whether these fall in range.

Potency test to be conducted on Mumbai gang rape accused too.

Specialists consider it similar to mapping the brain activity. Dr. D. Ramesh, a urologist in Bangalore and the secretary of the Urological Society of India, says "A gadget is attached to the patient and this is usually done in the sleep lab. We can send the apparatus home with the patient also."

Penile Color Doppler Sonography is an ultrasound test that determines the sexuality of a person, depending on the blood flow in the penis.

"If blood flow is very low, it would strongly suggest someone has a physiological problem," said Dr. Rupin S. Shah, a Mumbai-based andrologist, which is a medical specialization on male reproductive system and sexual function.

The Mumbai gang rape accused too will be subjected to these tests, says police. Although not foolproof for charging the verdicts, it surely is a measure to determine crime, even to a smaller extent.

OneIndia News