Emedinews:Insights on Medicolegal Issues:What is an impulse and its medicolegal importance?

Impulse is a sudden and irresistible desire or force in a person that compels him to the conscious performance of some act for which there is no motive; for example, kleptomania means an irresistible desire to steal articles which may be of small value and even, may be of no use to the person stealing the article. A sane person who has self–control and judgment capacity may not finally give shape to his impulsive or compulsive desire. But an insane person, who lacks in self–control and judgment capacity, cannot resist the impulse and may commit any offence. Thus, in connection with commission of an unlawful act, impulse is a good defense for an insane person which is not so for a sane person. Some types of impulses are:

• Dipsomania: This is found in alcoholics who have an irresistible desire to take alcoholic drinks.
• Pyromania: Here, there is an irresistible desire to set fire to things, which may be important and valuable. The person is not conscious or careful, at least temporarily, to the possible dangers of his act.
• Mutilomania: This is an irresistible desire to injure and mutilate animals, commonly the domestic pets.
• Sexual impulse: The person may feel compulsive urge to perform sexual intercourse, often in a perverted way. There may be some psychic problem concerning the sexual behavior; or the person may be a victim of mental sub normality.

Emedinews:Insights on Medicolegal Issues:Medicolegal importance of age (up to 14 years)

• 7 years: In accordance with Section 82 of Indian Penal Code, any act that is done by a child under 7 years of age is not an offence.
• 7–12 years: In accordance with Section 83 of Indian Penal Code, a child between 7–12 years of age is presumed to be capable of committing an offence, if he attained sufficient maturity of understanding to judge the nature and consequences of his conduct on that occasion. This maturity is presumed in a child of 7–12 years age until the contrary is proved.
• 10 years: In accordance with Section 369 of Indian Penal Code, kidnapping or abducting a child below 10 years of age with intention to steal from its person is a criminal punishable offence.
• 14 years: A child below 14 years of age cannot be employed to work in any factory or mine under Indian Factory Act 1948.
• A person completing 15 and up to 18 years is allowed to work as adolescent employee in a factory if a fitness certificate is issued by a competent registered doctor.