Assignment 4

Case study 1: Sister Sherly vs the central bureau of investigation

The role of forensic psychology in the case:

The Sister Abhaya Case is the death of a Knanaya Roman Catholic nun who was discovered
dead in a water well at the St Pius X convent in Kottayam, India, on March 27, 1992. Various
scientific procedures such as Narco-analysis, Brain Mapping, and Polygraph testing were
employed to solve this case, and two priests were eventually held accountable for the rape
and death of sister Abhaya.

Thus, the very essentiality of forensic psychology lies in the need for conducting tests that are
important to support the evidence found or to corroborate the same. Forensic Psychology
tends to play a very important role especially in giving answers related to the crime.

In the following case despite appeals of the nuns to not undergo narco test the test was found
important and not in violation of the law or constitution in any part. The long stretch of the
case was finally closed because of the support of forensic and forensic psychological aids
such as the tests mentioned before.

In the case of Sister Sherly vs. Central Bureau of Investigation, the court-approved narco-
analysis went against the individual in question's agreement. The tests were carried out solely
for the benefit of the accused, as they could aid in the inquiry. However, the new APEX court
judgement requires consent for forensic testing including as brain mapping, narco, and
polygraph.

Case 2: Sudipta Lenka v/s State of Odisha & Others:

The role of forensic psychology in the case:

Nentrananda Dandsena, a key suspect in the sexual harassment and burning of Rayagada
teacher Itishree Pradhan, underwent a five-hour polygraph examination at the State Forensic
Sciences Laboratory (SFSL)

During the marathon test, which began around 10 a.m. and lasted until 4 p.m. over two
sessions, the sacked School Inspector (SI) was asked over a hundred questions about his
professional relationship with the teacher, sexual harassment allegations, the role of outsiders,
and his connection with those who set Itishree on fire on October 27.

During the trial, up to 36 witnesses were cross-examined. According to the investigation,

Dandasena placed pressure on Itishree to drop the case against him. He had used an
acquaintance to eliminate Itishree because she had refused to cooperate.
In the following case forensic played a significant role in the apprehension and punishment of
the accused via methods such as a polygraph test. Forensic psychology played a vital role in
corroborating the evidence.