NOIDA/GHAZIABAD: Even though Delhi banned use of the 'archaic' and 'insensitive' practice of the two-finger test as a part of forensic examination for determining sexual assault or rape almost five years back, Noida and Ghaziabad have finally decided to follow in the same footsteps now.

However, in the absence of a clinical psychology department in Noida's only multispeciality district hospital, the city still lacks adequate counselling services to deal with the traumatized victim, admitted health department officials.

Health department officials explained that this move to ban the two-finger test, which has been branded by social activists all over the country as 'archaic and 'insensitive', came after a PIL was filed in the Allahabad high court. The court ruled that the current system was degrading to the victim, especially when alternative methods exist to determine rape or sexual assault, said the health department. "The court has banned the two-finger test and ruled that absolutely minimal amount of manual examination should take place while dealing with rape victims. It has also urged health departments across the state to deal with such cases with greater sensitivity," said Dr PK Singh, who was nominated by the health department to go to Lucknow for a training session by the state's medico-legal cell. The session aimed at operation of different medical practices necessary for dealing with crime in the city, including autopsies and rape.

Singh explained that in the first phase of the training, health department officials received training with regard to autopsies. In the second phase, female doctors from both Noida and Ghaziabad were to receive special training for forensic examination required to determine rape.

Health department officials explained that while the two-finger test is crude, it's fairly widespread in spite of alternative methods throughout the state. "It's possible to determine rape or sexual assault using a variety of scientific and modern methods, including the use of a uterine MRI, which is completely non-invasive and much more conclusive. Such non-invasive methods shall be used to determine rape now. Manual contact will be kept to a minimum," added Singh.

Delhi police officials say that the finger test for determining rape had been abandoned a while back. They also stressed on the importance of proper counselling for the rape victim. "It has been almost five years since we have abandoned the use of the two-finger test. It's also essential to ensure that the rape victim receives proper counselling following the rape to help her deal with the trauma of the heinous crime," said Rajan Bhagat, Delhi police spokesperson and additional DCP (Crime).

However, Noida's health department officials admitted that there is no such practice in place in the city. "There is no separate wing for clinical psychology in the district hospital in Noida. In such a situation, the medical staff present here is not equipped to deal with such a situation. They don't have the training or psychological know-how to deal with the victim of a heinous crime like rape," admitted Singh.