Analyzing Criminal Behaviour: The Nexus of Psychology and the Justice System

The article 'Analyzing Criminal Behaviour: The Nexus of Psychology and the Justice System' underscores the importance of the interdisciplinary relationship between psychology and the justice system in the analysis and punishment of the offender.

Introduction

Criminal psychology is a field of study that helps us to discover the reasons behind the commission of a crime and understand why it occurred at a particular time. This subject not only aids in comprehending the motives for criminal acts but also contributes to their prevention in the future.

The word “criminal” originates from the French word “criminel” meaning criminal, despicable. The word “psychology” is a combination of two words, viz., ‘psyche’ and ‘logos’, that is, “psyche” means 'mind' and ‘logos’ means ‘the study of. ’Thus, ‘psychology’ means the study of the mind and ‘criminal psychology’ means the study of the criminal mind.

When a crime is committed, it is invariably driven by a rationale, and one of the fundamental aspects of psychology is the exploration of these rationales, as demonstrated above. The perpetuation of a crime and its subsequent justification frequently serve as reflections of the accused criminal's psyche. This is why study of criminal psychology becomes important. The first step in reducing the crime rate is to comprehend the psychology of the criminal because psychology arises from causes, and it is difficult to reduce the crime rate until the reasons are understood.

In this article we will ponder upon various topics including major schools of psychology, the meaning and role of criminal psychologists in our justice system, some case studies and criminal profiling.

Psychology School of Thought

Various Schools of thought of Psychology enable and foster the understanding of behaviours. Understanding these schools will help us get a better insight into any person’s mind.

Following are the schools of thought in psychology:

1. Psychoanalysis

2. Behaviorism

3. Humanistic

Psychoanalysis

This school of thought helps in determining the root cause of a particular behaviour. Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic approach and theory, founded by Sigmund Freud, that seeks to explore the unconscious mind to uncover repressed feelings and interpret deep-rooted emotional patterns, often using techniques like dream analysis and free association.

Personality as described in Psychoanalysis consists of three elements id, ego and Superego. It is the unconscious part of the human mind containing all the urges and desires. The ego is the reality part. It is influenced by the external world and is the only conscious part of a personality. The superego includes all the moral values and principles which an individual learns from parents and teachers.

Behaviourism

Behaviour can be described and explained without making ultimate reference to mental events or to internal psychological processes. The sources of behaviour are external (in the environment), not internal (in the mind, in the head). While rejecting the idea of psychoanalysis behaviourism believes that humans' actions and nature are simply a response to particular stimuli.

Humanistic

Humanistic psychology is a perspective that emphasizes looking at the whole individual and stresses concepts such as free will, self-efficacy, and self-actualization.

History of Criminal Psychology

The origins of psychology as a scientific discipline can be dated to the year 1879. Since that time, psychology has undergone significant development, giving rise to various specialized subfields, including criminal psychology. The origins of criminal psychology can be identified in America, with additional influences from Britain, Europe, and Russia.

Numerous psychologists have conducted experiments that have played a pivotal role in the establishment and growth of criminal psychology. Like, Milgram’s experiment in the 1960s which fairly apprised how a person’s natural behaviour mutates under pressure. Though Milgram’s experiment majorly contributed to the literature of criminal psychology, still he was not called a criminal psychologist.

In the Indian context, its beginnings can be pinpointed to the year 1916 when the first department of experimental psychology was established at Calcutta University. Subsequently, the Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science was founded in Delhi in 1972.

Who are Criminal Psychologists?

A criminal psychologist addresses the psychological facets of legal proceedings, which encompass understanding the psychological issues linked to criminal behaviour, the treatment of offenders, and the application of psychological theory in criminal investigations.

Relevance of Criminal Psychologists in our Criminal Justice System

1. Understanding the Mental State: A criminal psychologist possesses a profound understanding of the mental state of an accused individual, which can be highly beneficial in the assessment of the appropriate penalty for the offence committed.

2. Providing Recommendations for Incarceration and Treatment: Many individuals with mental health issues who have committed crimes are at risk of harming themselves or fellow inmates. These individuals require specialized accommodations in facilities tailored to their cognitive needs. Forensic psychologists may offer expert opinions on the most appropriate incarceration facilities and sentencing considerations for such individuals.

3. Crime Analysis: When examining the victim's statement, the crime scene, and the crime report, a criminal psychologist assesses the actions of the perpetrator in that particular scenario. They then compare this information and the offender's profile with data from similar recorded crimes in the database. This analysis helps the police officers and the investigating team to identify the criminal and also consider the probabilities of the same person committing a crime in a typical geographical location.

4. Evidentiary Functions: These pertain to research activities encompassing diverse testing methodologies. Criminal psychologists employ various tests and research materials to provide the courts with expert opinions regarding the reliability and truthfulness of statements offered by the defendant, victim, and eyewitnesses. This includes assessments of factors such as false memory involvement and the credibility of eyewitness accounts.

Case Studies

Rape Cases

1. According to the psychological researcher, Madhumita Pandey, who interviewed about 100 rape accused in Tihar jail, initially tagged them as the ‘monsters’ present in the society but later on she realized that they were ordinary human beings whose upbringing and thought processes result in the commitment of such an act.

2. According to Gloria Steinem, rape is a result of a mindset associated with the "Cult of masculinity," and its primary objective is to humiliate the victim.

3. In the research conducted by Marcia Cohen and Sherrie H. H McKenna, it was found that a significant number of rapists come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. These offences are typically planned rather than impulsive acts.

Serial Killings and Criminal Profiling

Criminal profiling involves the meticulous creation of a profile for an unidentified perpetrator through a comprehensive analysis of all crime-related information. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) endeavoured to categorize the personalities of violent offenders based on their behaviour at crime scenes, which is considered foundational in the development of criminal profiling (Canter & Wentink, 2004). During investigations, all investigators create some form of profile, even if it is rudimentary, to help pinpoint the characteristics of the offender. However, such profiling is most effective when carried out by experienced criminal psychologists who are specifically trained to comprehend the workings of criminal minds.

The optimal approach is to ensure that the criminal profile is formulated by an individual possessing extensive expertise in the field. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that profiles should not be regarded as definitive but rather as investigative aids, to be used in conjunction with other investigative methods.

Exploring instances of serial killing in India presents numerous challenges due to its vast population, under-resourced and relatively inexperienced law enforcement agencies, and the absence of comprehensive databases and effective coordination. Despite several studies on serial killing done internationally since the 1980s, the research into serial killing in India is in its infancy. There is a dearth of research-grade literature on serial killings, their causative factors, and their characteristics from the Indian perspective.

Instances of Serial Killings in India

Nithari Case

In the Nithari village, situated on the outskirts of Noida, a businessman named Mohinder Singh Pandher and his home helper, Surinder Kohli, faced arrest following the discovery of missing children's skulls. The case involved allegations of rape, cannibalism, paedophilia, sodomy, and even organ trafficking. In the course of the investigation, Surinder was convicted of five murders, while Mohinder was accused of 11 unsolved murders. Both received death sentences, but in 2014, Surinder's death penalty was commuted to life imprisonment.

The "Lady Cyanide" or "Cyanide Mallika" Case

A woman residing in Bangalore, known as Mallika, committed a series of murders involving six other women from 1999 to 2007. She preyed upon lower-middle-class women who had experienced domestic violence, and subsequently, she used cyanide to end their lives, robbing them of their belongings and jewellery. In 2007, Mallika was apprehended and sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Stoneman Killer Case

One of the most notorious unsolved murder cases in the history of India revolves around the brutal murders of approximately nine individuals in 1989. The victims suffered severe head injuries inflicted by a heavy blunt object. The unidentified assailant was referred to as "The Stoneman" by a Calcutta newspaper, and to this day, the mystery remains unsolved, with the identity of the Stoneman eluding discovery.

Conclusion

Psychology involves the examination of the human brain and its neural connections to comprehend the underlying reasons for human actions. An in-depth exploration of the psychology of criminals plays a pivotal role in the investigative process and aids lawmakers in crafting legislation to instil fear in potential wrongdoers. While no law can entirely deter individuals with mental imbalances from criminal activities, psychologists can assess the likelihood of their reoffending. Consequently, this burgeoning field of science holds promise for society.

Criminal psychology has emerged as a critical discipline, empowering law enforcement and judicial entities to enhance their efficacy in combating crime and criminals. In India, the field of criminal psychology is still in its nascent stages, requiring increased government investment in both funding and infrastructure. This support will attract students and researchers to engage in criminal psychology, fostering more research and experimentation for improved outcomes.

References

[1] Prof. Vimala Veeraraghavan, Introduction to Criminal Psychology

[2] Scope of Criminal Psychology, Available Here

[3] Saul Mcleod, Psychoanalysis: Freud’s Psychoanalytic Approach To Therapy, Available Here

[4] What Is Humanistic Psychology? A Psychology Perspective Influenced By Humanism, Available Here

[5] Richard N. Kocsis, Applied Criminal Psychology: A Guide to Forensic Behavioral Sciences

[6] History of Criminal Psychology, Available Here

[7] David Canter, Criminal Psychology

[8] Mahima Sharma, Scope of Criminal Psychology, Available Here

[9] Rape: Psychology, Prevention and Impact’, Marcia Cohen and Sherrie H. McKenna, Available Here

[10] Eric W. Hickey (2002), Serial Murderers and their Victims

[11] S. A. Deepak, Serial Killings in India: Case Studies and Profiling Strategies, Available Here

[12] Ajay Singh Negi, A Study On 2006 Noida Serial Murder: Nithari Hatyakand With Special Reference To The Psychology Of The Accused, Available Here

[13] 'Cyanide' Mohan who killed 20 women after raping them, gets life sentence in 19th case, Available Here

[14] The Stoneman Killer Of Calcutta and Mumbai,By Hector Navarro, Available Here

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