Sodomy (buggery; anal intercourse)
Sodomy may be a passing phase of
homosexual behaviour during puberty. However, an estimated 5% of males remain
exclusively homosexual, of whom one-third are said to be capable of
heterosexuality, but often at the price of instability in the heterosexual
relationships. Situational homosexual behaviour is common in prisons and often
leads to crimes of violence arising from jealousy. Homosexual behaviour is
often associated with extremes of promiscuity. It has been found that 28% of
homosexual males had more than 1 000 partners (Berkow 1992).
It is not surprising, therefore,
that homosexuals are at serious risk of contracting a variety of sexually
transmissible conditions, ranging from amoebic dysentery infections of the
genital tract to AIDS. The prevalance of depression, paranoid states and
suicide seems higher among homosexuals than among those conducting ‘‘normal’’
lives. As a group, homosexuals are understandably vulnerable to blackmail,
especially when in high office. Thus in a medico-legal investigation of what
may appear to be a motiveless suicide or homicide, the possibility of
homosexual associations should not be overlooked. Taylor, quoted by Glaister in
Medical Jurisprudence andToxicology found
that of 96 prisoners in prison because of homosexualoffences (in England), 39
were charged with indecent assault on boys, 24 with importuning, 17 with gross
indecency, and 16 with the crime of sodomy. In the case of 5% of the 96
prisoners the offences involved boys. Taylor classified the cases into four
groups:
·
the pseudo-homosexual group, where homosexual acts were
substituted for the preferred heterosexual act
·
the bisexual group, where there were strong bisexual
tendencies
·
prostitutes among pseudo-homosexuals for purposes of gain
·
the true homosexual group, which included only thirteen of
the 96. Five were always passive, two always active, three both active and
passive. Fellatio was admitted by four of this group of thirteen (Rentoul&
Smith 1973: 452).
In keeping with Taylor’s findings,
an American investigation also found that only about 5% of group 4 had
effeminate appearances.
As with cases of rape, the victim
and the alleged assailant must be examined thoroughly and attention must be
directed especially at detecting anal tears, which may be extensive in the
inexperienced partner. In the case of marked disproportion (also with rape) the
frenular artery of the active member may tear, and haemorrhaging may be
surprisingly severe. Specimens for the detection of seminal fluid and blood
should be taken.
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