Second year students of Post Graduate Department of Criminology and Forensic Science, Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice Specialization had actively participated in one-day skill development Program on ‘Forensic Psychology: Role in Criminal Justice System’ organized by School of Criminology and Behavioural Sciences, Rashtriya Raksha University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat held on 29th September 2022 virtually via google meet from 9.30am to 5pm.
Dr.Nanda Kumar Pujam. S, Associate Professor and Assistance Director, School of Criminology and Behavioural Sciences, Rashtriya Raksha University, Gujarat was the resource person for the first session on the topic ‘Introduction to Forensic Psychology’ at 9.30am. He spoke about the historical development of psychology, types of psychologists, skills required in Forensic Psychologist, scope of psychology in government sectors, role of Forensic Psychologist, an expert witness in court and case presentation. He further gave information regarding the work profile, polygraph, Narco analysis, BEOS, LVA, SDS, Forensic interviews, correctional settings, investigative agencies like CBI and law enforcement of various state.
The second session was held at 10.40 by Mr. Mahesh Tripathi, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology. He spoke about Profiling, Interview, and Interrogation. A detailed information was provided on the steps of interview i.e. PEACE (Planning and Preparation, Engage and Explain, Account clarification, Closure and Evaluation) with examples. The importance of active listening, the type of questions that need to ask, profiling personal characteristics of offender, the typologies of profiling developed by FBI was also discussed.
The third session was held on the topic ‘Deception Detection Technology in Crime Investigation’ at 12.15pm taken up by Ms. Saroja Roy Grandhi – Lecturer & Clinical Psychologist, Department of Forensic Psychology, School of Criminology and Behavioural Sciences, Rashtriya Raksha University. She spoke about the application and functions of Polygraph, Brain Mapping, Hypnosis, Layered Voice Analysis, and methods of BEOS.
The fourth session was held again by Dr. Nandha Kumara Pujam. S at 2.30pm on the topic 'Conventional Forensic Psychological tools and Rehabilitation of offenders’. He spoke about the competency to stand trial in the attorney, insanity plea with examples, evaluation of possible malingering, child custody and challenges to rationale psychological assessments in forensic, along with that emotional damage assessment like personal injury and the rehabilitation. These concepts were explained along with relevant practical, videos and drawings.
The last session was held at 4pm on the topic ‘Victim Assistance' by Mr. Aayush Bokade, Assistant Professor, School of Criminology and Behavioural Sciences, Rashtriya Raksha University. He provided insight on different stages of victimization, types of assistance, victim compensation, importance of Malimath committee report, mental health services, role of victims personal statements in the court of Criminal Justice, a restorative justice policy that results in resolving criminal acts and comprehensive programs. Students expressed that the sessions were very informative and relevant to the academic curriculum. As the sessions were organized only for the Forensic Psychology specialization there were opportunities to interact with the resource persons freely after each session. Altogether, 6 students and 2 faculties benefitted and actively participated in the session.