Q1. What is criminal psychology?
A “criminal psychologist” is science transacting with the psyche and mental calculations of a criminal.They are required to study and examine the behavior and thoughts of
criminals as a professional. The line
of work of a criminal psychologist is not only to determine what gets someone to pull a crime, but also to study the responses after the crime is
conducted. In every judicial system a criminal Psychologist has an-indispensable part to act, as they can unwrap certain of the essence facts about criminals to
help penetrate cases. The heart and soul of a Criminal Psychologist is
dedicated to reveal and study thoughts, intents, role, and the character of criminals.
Q2. How was your journey of becoming a criminal psychologist. How easy or difficult this was?
My journey of life is
something which I cherish a lot. It has been lasting and exerting in achieving
such a demanding position in life. I have always had a strong belief in the
saying that , “When the
going gets tough, the tough get going.” Born and brought
up in Delhi, India
I (Anuja Kapur)
was raised in a pure Punjabi family. I attended the Queen Mary School in Tis
Hazari, Delhi . To resource myself further in the field I also
pursued
- BA (Hons) Psychology , Mata Sundari College, Delhi
University
- Masters (Msc)
Criminology from Open Global University, Nagaland
- LLB from CCS
UNIVERSITY, Meerut
- Diploma in
Forensic Sciences, Delhi University under the guidance of retired director of
CFSL Dr V.N. Sehgal and late Prof. Surinder Nath
- Diploma in
Victimology from Tokiwa University , Japan
It was a very planned and conscious effort after my schooling to pursue my goal irrespective of the circumstances which included my fatal brain illness. Finally getting over the medical dilemma and accepting that I am studying what I love.Yes definitely there was a time when I felt like giving in. A lot of factors together made me feel that way. I had a lot of medical issues arising constantly which stopped me for working at my best. The factor that put me down was entering a male oriented fraternity, where I being a woman did not have any aid. Being sexually harassed and criticized and many other circumstances tried to put me down but my passion, the zeal and the positiveness within me didn’t let go and got me standing where I am today.
Q3. Some professional user case that you can share?
Well all my cases are special to me but I would like
to start with a case which is really close to my heart and an issue I always
try to create awareness about “Acid Attack Victims”. I was really touched and
influenced by the acid attack survivors and the rape victims. An acid attack
and rape victim has a long-lasting negative
effect on the life of
the victim/survivor who faces everlasting anguish, eternal damage and other
problems for the rest of her life. Providing these victims /survivors
with justice is the least that can be done for them.A feeling arose within me
which said that I could help the victims find justice. I have moved into the legal profession full of fight
and hope to do my bit to reform the world and make it a better place.
India still categorizes acid attack as a grievous hurt instead of a heinous
crime, dolling out penalties which are lenient and jail terms which are
bailable.” The government is not doing its bit necessary to avoid such
horrendous acts, it has to constantly be pressured and reminded by activists to
do their job effectively. The government should in fact implement such laws
that seeking justice in such a difficult state would be a straight forward
matter rather than second victimization.
Q4. How effective is the role of a criminal psychologist in supporting investigation? How frequently such a service is used in India. Where do we stand in a global perspective when it comes to the number of people qualified and available called to use this service.
Criminal psychology is in a processing state in India. Turning out
flourishing in this field is not very simple. As we face a major rise in population, India is regrettably seeing a
rush in crimes as well.The
current scenario builds
up to the intense requirement of criminal psychologist to help even out
the messy situation. However, for those with the energy, endurance
and critical thinking skills, it can be a gratifying line of work. The number of people qualified in our country is
really little Criminal psychologists often
needed to accompany police officers to crime scenes in order to
help asses the evidence. Moreover ,
as the crimes are considered to be committed by serial
murderers, criminal psychologists may be accessed to help evaluate and
discover patterns and clues. Due to the potentially dangerous circumstances
involved in law enforcement, many criminal psychologists, especially
those employed by the bureau, will undergo firearms training.Turning
out successful in this field is not very easy. However, for
those with the vigour, endurance and critical thinking skills, it can be a
rewarding occupation.
Q5. What are the career opportunities in this profession.
Every field hosts job opportunities for psychology. It is a resourceful degree to hold as probability to stay employed is at its peak. A fair number of openings are presented by both government and private sector institutions in Education, sports, NGO’s, criminal and many other. After several years of experience in this field psychologists those with doctoral degrees enter freelance practice or set up private research or consulting firms. A course in psychology makes you prominently versatile to join any industry.
Q.6 The scope for a criminal psychologist in India and the professional opportunities?
Criminal psychologists are engaged in numerous fields. Some are employed for local, state, or federal government, while others are self-employed as independent consultants. Teaching criminal psychology at the university level or at specialized criminology training facilities are options as well. In the emerging debatable and hard to please criminal world, well experienced criminal psychologists will definitely survive. Furthermore , as the crimes are well thought out to be committed by serial murderers, criminal psychologists may be approached to help measure and conceive patterns and hint.
Q7 For India how can a criminal psychologist bring a positive change.?
The need of criminal psychologists would be eternal in the society as their job is multi- faceted. As mentioned before they prove to be a great support to the police and often called by them for investigation and their opinions are usually considered in making decisions. This makes them great advisers.Psychologists are great counselors too as they usually notice the implicit traits of a person. Crime “breeds” because of several reasons and a criminal psychologist can curb those by their efficient and shrewd demeanor. Psychiatrist and counselors help rehabilitate convicts during their stay in correctional institutions and gear them up to incorporate themselves into the real world once they are released from prison. Prison counselors and psychiatrists also offer occupational, academic, social and personal counseling to help prisoners develop new skills and prepare insight to forbid backsliding in attitude of the victims. . Hence their credibility remains constant helping criminals back on track to lead a law abiding life.
Q8. India is an amalgamation of cultures and ethnicity. It is the largest and most sophisticated democracies where differences coexist. In such a diverse sociology the criminal art is like a chameleon, keeps on changing colors. How do you look at this and what is your opinion about this?
Crime exists in every society and turning a blind eye to such episodes is what is harming human beings.Crime can be committed by anyone regardless of their economical, political or social positions. It is suggested that crime does not disappear it simply changes. So, criminals learn newer and better ways to commit a crime. The theory according to me is simple if human beings are inherently selfish, then crime will always exist, since people will always take advantage of the systems that have been established to better themselves, regardless (or perhaps in full consideration of) the consequences to others.If humans are turn kind hearted, and are most likely to act for the common good, when faced with alternatives, then theoretically one could create a society that met everyone’s needs without anyone needing to commit a “crime” everything changes for the good.
Q9. How can you control or manage the criminal behavior of an individual. Who is more vicious men or women?
Criminals can be born with the genes or as well as turn over into one during the course of life. If born as one the genes have a vital role to play, as the genetic factor will indulge a significant development naturally. Some criminals might have experienced many mitigating factors to move towards the world of crime and indulge themselves in this world of misery. When we talk about illegality and morality in our acts we are referring to the up bringing of an individual. During the early years of a child’s life the parents and guardians need to keep a tab on the physical, mental and emotional growth of their kids, in order to curb wrong choices and doings. Any inattentiveness by the parents/guardian can lead to a damage that demolishes the whole fundamental structure, development and personality of the children.The introduction of right and wrong choices helps to build the moral character of an individual. Although parents need to be cautious about the influence of friends on their teens, but also need to realize that they cannot select friends for their children. Parents need to explain to their children to be part of good peer groups and also to say no to things not acceptable in general. Parents need to connect with their children to know how they are doing and going through. If in a mess or problem parents need to work with their children instead of going all clumsy on them. As far as the sex goes with being a criminal, male or female it really does not matter the chances are equal.
