Legal Definitions - ventre inspiciendo

Ventre inspiciendo is a Latin term that refers to a legal writ that allows a court to order a physical examination of a woman's abdomen to determine if she is pregnant. This examination was typically conducted by a group of women known as matrons.

• Venire facias tot matronas: This is a writ that requires a sheriff to summon a jury of matrons to execute a writ de ventre inspiciendo. For example, if a woman was accused of a crime and claimed to be pregnant, the court might order a ventre inspiciendo to determine if she was telling the truth.

These examples illustrate how ventre inspiciendo was used in legal proceedings to determine if a woman was pregnant. The examination was conducted by a group of women to ensure that the process was as non-invasive as possible.