The Post Graduate Department of Criminology and Forensic Science, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, Mangaluru, organized its 12th Alumni Guest Session on 15 March 2025 for the II MSc CFS students specializing in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice. The session was conducted from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and featured Ms. Varsha Venkatesh, Director, Varnik Educational Trust and distinguished alumna, as the resource person. The topic of discussion was “Psychology of Specific Serial Offenders”, a subject of great relevance to students pursuing a specialization in Forensic Psychology.
Ms. Varsha Venkatesh provided an in-depth analysis of the psychological aspects of serial offenders, exploring their behavioural patterns, motivations, and underlying psychopathology. She discussed various criminological theories and psychological frameworks used to understand serial offending, emphasizing the role of early life experiences, personality disorders, and cognitive distortions in shaping criminal behaviour. Drawing from real-world case studies, she illustrated how forensic psychology contributes to criminal profiling and investigation.
The session was very interactive, with students actively engaging in discussions, posing insightful questions, and analyzing case examples presented by the resource person. Ms. Varsha also highlighted the significance of forensic psychological assessment in legal proceedings and the importance of ethical considerations in dealing with offenders.
The guest session concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Shravya S. Rai, student of II MSc CFS, expressing gratitude to Ms. Varsha Venkatesh for sharing her expertise and providing valuable insights into the complex world of serial offenders. The session was intellectually stimulating and proved to be an enriching experience, enhancing the students’ understanding of forensic psychology and its practical applications in criminal justice. Ms. Fathima Farasath of II MSc CFS compiled the report.
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