When it becomes necessary for the purposes of this article to determine whether a child who participated in sexual conduct was younger than eighteen years of age, the court or jury may make this determination by any of the following methods:

(1) personal inspection of the child;

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Terms Used In South Carolina Code 16-3-840

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Performance: means any play, motion picture, photograph, dance, or other visual representation that is exhibited before an audience. See South Carolina Code 16-3-800
  • Sexual conduct: means actual or simulated sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse, sexual bestiality, masturbation, sado-masochistic abuse, or lewd exhibition of the genitals. See South Carolina Code 16-3-800
  • Sexual performance: means any performance or part thereof that includes sexual conduct by a child younger than eighteen years of age. See South Carolina Code 16-3-800
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.

(2) inspection of the photograph or motion picture that shows the child engaging in the sexual performance;

(3) oral testimony by a witness to the sexual performance as to the age of the child based on the child’s appearance at the time;

(4) expert medical testimony based on the appearance of the child engaging in the sexual performance; or

(5) any other method authorized by law or by rules of evidence.