Case Study
Year: 2019 | Month: January | Volume: 9 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 326-332
Study of Adolescent/Teenage Pregnancy in Disputed Paternity Cases Received at Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad, India
Dr. S. Gautami1, Dr. G. Pandu2, P. Shrilakshmi3, Dr. J. Vanajakshi2, K. Neeraja3
1I/C Joint Director, Telangana State Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad
2Assistant Director, Telangana State Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad
3Scientific Officer, Telangana State Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad
Corresponding Author: Dr. S. Gautami
ABSTRACT
Unmarried teenage pregnancy due to rape/sexual assault (R/SA) is a serious public health problem and it not only interferes with the education, personal development of the victim along with the born child. The data of forensic DNA Finger Printing on DP cases is a significant source in estimating the teen pregnancy and other social problems. A unique DNA profiling study was taken up for a period of 15 years (Jan 2000 to Dec 2014) to evaluate the role of age, community and occupation in committing the offence by offender/suspect/alleged father along with the status of the victim. The study revealed that, there are more civil cases in Andhra region compared to crime cases where as in Telangana region crime cases exceed the civil cases. The maximum percentage of victims i.e. 48%, belonged to labourer/agricultural labourers category, followed by Government related employees, Private employees, agriculture labourer, Beedi roller or servant maid/housekeeping work (each 4.17%) showing that all of them are of low socioeconomic status. The maximum DP cases were registered under the sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) 417,376,420 and others and minimum cases under section of IPC 498A and others. The proportion of teen pregnancy due to SA/R is higher in the age group of 15 to 17 years in unmarried female and 20-22 years in offenders. Proper parenting is therefore the foremost criteria to reduce the R/SA victimization to promote a better and healthy future generation.
Key words: Teenage Pregnancy, Disputed Paternity, DNA Profiling, Victim, Inclusion, Exclusion