Melbourne homicide detectives conducted a controversial medical examination on a teenage girl involved in a 1986 murder investigation, raising questions about investigative practices and the ethics of so-called "virginity testing."

Donna Manallack, then 17, underwent a physical examination at the request of police as part of their inquiry into the alleged murder of Rosslyn McQueen, the wife of Ray McQueen, who faced accusations of killing his spouse. Investigators suspected that Mr. McQueen, described by witnesses as being infatuated with the significantly younger Ms. Manallack, may have killed his wife to avoid divorce costs and to be with the teenager, a family friend.

Ms. Manallack denied having had sexual relations with Mr. McQueen during police questioning and was asked to prove her claim through a medical exam. She agreed, feeling it was the only way to substantiate her statement. The examination took place in the casualty department of Bendigo Base Hospital on July 1, 1986, conducted by casualty supervisor Peter Crossley. His report noted Ms. Manallack’s assertion of virginity and found no evidence contradicting her claim.

Virginity testing involves the examination of female genitalia to determine whether sexual intercourse has occurred. The practice has traditionally been used to assess the virtue or social standing of unmarried women, although it has been widely discredited and condemned by international health and human rights organizations. The World Health Organization, UN Human Rights, and UN Women jointly called for a global ban on virginity testing in 2018, citing the lack of scientific basis and the violation of human rights involved. The practice can also cause physical, psychological, and social harm.

Ms. Manallack described the examination as "very embarrassing and very intrusive," reflecting decades later that the police should have sought parental consent and questioned the necessity of the test. She likened it to a form of bullying.

While some countries, including the United Kingdom, have criminalized virginity testing—becoming illegal there in 2022—no such law currently exists in Australia. The Australian federal government in 2025 recognized historical virginity testing in institutional settings as a form of child sexual abuse for the purposes of the National Redress Scheme, which supports survivors of institutional abuse. Yet, the government declined to pursue a separate inquiry into the issue.

The investigation into Rosslyn McQueen’s death remains unresolved. Ray McQueen has always denied involvement in his wife’s death and disputes that Ms. Manallack was subjected to virginity testing, despite her account and medical records. Ms. Manallack told police in 1986 that she was in love with Mr. McQueen and willing to be with him once she turned 18, but their connection reportedly ended after he was charged with murder.

The case has drawn renewed attention through the podcast *The Poisoned Wife*, which explores the circumstances surrounding the alleged poisoning of Rosslyn McQueen and revisits the historical and ethical questions raised by the police investigation.