AHMEDABAD: They read the minds of criminals and provide breakthroughs in unsolved cases. Forensic psychologists, who have become the backbone of the nation's crime detection and judicial system, observed first Forensic Psychology Day on Friday with a seminar at Gujarat Forensic Science University (GFSU), Gandhinagar which dealt with numerous issues related to the discipline.

The day was constituted last year during 37th national annual conference of Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP) held in Ahmedabad by professionals and practitioners of the discipline to create awareness about it.

Talking about the initiative, Dr S L Vaya, director of Institute of Behavioural Science (IBS) of GFSU and chairperson of the seminar, said that the celebration was a dream-come-true. "I have been fortunate to be associated with the field from a nascent stage and witness it grow before my eyes. Forensic psychologists play a pivotal role in crime detection through examining a human being's mind. The day will create much-needed awareness about this discipline and boost discussion on future prospects," she said.

Guest speakers elaborated on the need for innovation and standardization of processes that can be used universally like in other fields of science. SM Jaamdar, principal secretary with government of Karnataka, said in his speech that the need of the hour is to standardize tools, techniques and assessment parameters used by practitioners that would be relevant to Indian context.

Loknath Behra, inspector general of police, National Investigating Agency (NIA), New Delhi, said that as cyber crime cases work on virtual data that can be retrieved and accepted in the court of law, a forensic scientist should work towards such model. He also elaborated on how important the field is for analysis of complex minds such as of terrorists'.

New-age criminals know how to manipulate forensic investigation

Dr Amool Ranjan Singh, director of RINPAS, Jharkhand, discussed some of his case studies with the audience. "New-age criminals know procedures followed by investigators and modify their behaviour accordingly. In a recent incident of rape, we had a science graduate as our patient for assessment. He showed disturbed behaviour during the questioning. When he was observed in a neutral environment, he appeared to be normal. We later got to know that he was tipped-off by a relative that he could get away with the crime," he said.

He also threw light on another modus operandi. "First investigation of an OPD patient is always important. In some recent cases, we observed that people walk in and complain about symptoms such as blacking out, hearing voices and insomnia and also take medication. After some months, they disappear and commit crimes. When they appeared before a court, they complain of having a medical history and show their psychological troubles," said Singh.