National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar Gujarat

TERM ASSESSMENT – 1: ASSIGNMENT

ASSIGNMENT TOPIC :

CASE STUDY: ANALYSIS OF PERSONALITY IN

PSYCHOSOCIAL
CONTEXT

SUBMITTED BY SUBMITTED TO
JEEVISHA GANGWAR DR. SHWETA NARAYAN
MSC. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY TEACHER INCHARGE
SEMESTER 1 THEORIES OF
PERSONALITIES
 CONTENTS

Introduction –
 What is Personality?
 Psychopathy
Koodathayi Murder Case
 Details of the case
 Psychology of criminal
Gowari Shankar case
 Details of the case
 Psychology of criminal
 INTRODUCTION

What is Personality?
The term ‘personality’ is derived from the Latin word persona, which means the mask used
by actors in the Roman theatre for changing their facial make-up. For a layman perspective,
personality generally refers to the physical or external appearance of an individual. For
example, when we find someone ‘good-looking’, we often assume that the person also has a
charming personality. This notion of personality is based on superficial impressions, which
may not be correct. In psychological terms, personality refers to our characteristic ways of
responding to individuals and situations. People can easily describe the way in which they
respond to various situations. Certain catchwords (e. g., shy, sensitive, quite, concerned,
warm, etc) are often used to describe personality. These words refers to different
components of personality. In this sense, personality refers to unique and relatively stable
qualities that characterise an individual’s behaviour across different situations over a period
of time. When psychologists define personality, they tend to refer to qualities within a
person, characteristics of a person’s behaviour, or both. In a famous definition, psychologist,
Gordon Allport (1937) mentioned both inner qualities and behaviour, but he emphasized the
inner qualities: “Personality is the dynamic organisation within the individual of those
psychophysical systems that determine his unique adjustments to his environment.” In a
more recent definition, psychologist Walter Mischel (1972) mentioned both inner processes
and behaviour but emphasized behaviour. According to him, personality, consist of “the
distinctive patterns of behaviour that characterize each individual’s adaptation to the
situations of his or her own life.” There is no single definition of personality which is
acceptable to all psychologists and psychiatrist. However, most of them agreed that
personality includes the behaviour patterns a person shows across situations or the
psychological characteristics of the person that lead to those behaviour patterns. Personality has
been studied in a number of different ways. Some have developed broad theories to explain the
origins and makeup of personality. Others have focused only on one or two issues, such as the
influence of heredity on personality. The study of personality focuses on two broad areas; One is
understanding individual differences in particular personality characteristics, such as sociability or
irritability. The other is understanding how the various parts of a person come together as a whole.
Concept of Psychopathy:

Definition:

There are multiple conceptualizations of psychopathy, including Cleckleyan psychopathy and Criminal
psychopathy. The label "psychopath" may have implications and stigma related to decisions about
punishment severity for criminal acts, medical treatment, civil commitments, etc. Efforts have
therefore been made to clarify the meaning of the term.

It has been suggested that those who share the same emotional deficiencies and psychopathic
features, but are properly socialized, should not be designated as 'psychopaths'.
Individuals with psychopathic traits can be involved in various types of crimes. Some common
examples of crimes associated with psychopathic personalities include:

1. Boldness. Low fear including stress-tolerance, toleration of unfamiliarity and danger, and
high self-confidence and social assertiveness.

2. Disinhibition. Poor impulse control including problems with planning and foresight, lacking
affect and urge control, demand for immediate gratification, and poor behavioral restraints.

3. Meanness. Lacking empathy and close attachments with others, disdain of close
attachments, use of cruelty to gain empowerment, exploitative tendencies, defiance of
authority, and destructive excitement seeking.

4. Fraud: Psychopaths may engage in white-collar crimes like fraud, identity theft, or
embezzlement due to their manipulative and deceptive nature.

5. Violent Crimes: Some psychopaths may commit violent crimes such as assault, robbery, or
even murder. They may display a lack of remorse or guilt for their actions.

6. Stalking: Psychopaths may engage in stalking behavior, which can involve persistent and
unwanted attention towards a specific individual, causing emotional distress and fear.

7. Manipulative Relationships: Psychopaths often excel at manipulating and exploiting others in

personal relationships, sometimes leading to emotional or psychological abuse.

8. Substance Abuse: Some individuals with psychopathic traits may have a higher likelihood of
substance abuse, which can lead to criminal behavior related to drug possession or
distribution.
 Koodathayi Murder Case

Details of the Case

Koodathayi Murder Case were a series of murder case, which occurred at koodathayi in Kozhikode
district, in Kerala, South India. It is also known as the Jolly Joseph case. Jolly, the accused criminal
murdered 6 of her family members over the span of 14 years. The case gained widespread media
attention and was a significant legal and social issue in India. It was a complex case that shocked the
nation due to the alleged motives and the number of victims involved.

Timeline of the Murders:

1. 2002: Jolly's first alleged victim was her husband, Roy Thomas. He died under mysterious
circumstances, and it was initially believed to be due to a heart attack.

2. 2008: Jolly's mother-in-law, Annamma Thomas, died suddenly. Her death was also attributed to
natural causes.

3. 2011: Jolly's father-in-law, Tom Thomas, passed away in a similar manner.

4. 2014: Jolly's brother-in-law, Mathew Manjadiyil, died under suspicious circumstances.

5. 2016: Jolly's family friend, Sily Shaju, died in a mysterious manner.

6. 2019: The death of a two-year-old child, Alphine Shaju, the daughter of Sily Shaju, raised
suspicions, leading to a more detailed investigation

Investigation and Arrests:

During the investigation, the police exhumed the bodies of the deceased family members and
conducted post-mortem examinations. Toxicology reports revealed that cyanide poisoning was the
cause of death in some cases. Jolly Joseph was arrested in October 2019, along with two other
individuals, including a goldsmith who allegedly provided the cyanide. Here is the more details about
the investigation:

Initial Suspicions: The investigation began in 2019 after suspicions were raised by family members
and friends regarding the suspicious deaths in the Koodathayi family. It was reported that family
members became suspicious when they noticed inconsistencies in death certificates and documents
related to property and inheritance.

Exhumation of Bodies: As part of the investigation, the police exhumed the bodies of the deceased
family members, including Roy Thomas (Jolly's husband), Annamma Thomas (Jolly's mother-in-law),
Tom Thomas (Jolly's father-in-law), Mathew Manjadiyil (Jolly's brother-in-law), Sily Shaju (family
friend), and Alphine Shaju (Sily Shaju's daughter). Post-mortem examinations were conducted on the
exhumed bodies to determine the cause of death.
Toxicology Reports: Toxicology reports from the post-mortem examinations revealed that cyanide
poisoning was the cause of death in some of the cases. These findings added to the suspicions of foul
play and led to a more extensive investigation.

Statements and Interrogations: Jolly Joseph, the primary suspect, was arrested in October 2019. She
faced extensive questioning by the police. Other individuals, including a goldsmith who allegedly
supplied the cyanide, were also arrested and questioned. Statements from family members and
witnesses were collected to build a comprehensive case.

Forensic Analysis: Forensic experts were involved in analyzing evidence, including documents related
to property and assets, as well as the autopsy reports. Digital evidence, such as communication
records and financial transactions, may have been examined to establish motives and connections.

Legal Proceedings: Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, charges were filed
against Jolly Joseph and the other accused individuals. The case was brought before the court for
trial, and legal proceedings were initiated.

The investigation into the Koodathayi murder case was extensive and complex, given the number of
victims and the span of time over which the alleged crimes occurred.

Psychology of the Criminal:

Understanding the psychology of individuals involved in complex criminal cases like Jolly Joseph in
the Koodathayi murder case can be challenging, and it often involves speculation based on available
information:

Personality Traits: Evaluating personality traits can provide insights into a suspect's behavior.
Psychologists might consider whether Jolly exhibited traits such as manipulation, deceitfulness, or
narcissism that could be associated with her alleged actions.

Psychopathology: Mental health assessments could be conducted to determine if there were

underlying psychological disorders that may have played a role in the alleged crimes. It's important to
remember that the presence of a mental health condition does not necessarily excuse criminal
behavior.

Social and Environmental Factors: Jolly's upbringing, social environment, and life experiences could
have influenced her behavior. Psychologists might examine her family background, relationships, and
life events to understand potential contributing factors.
 Gowari Shankar a.k.a. Auto Shankar case
Details of Crime:
Gowri Shankar (21 January 1954 – 27 April 1995), better known as 'Auto' Shankar, was an Indian
criminal, serial killer and gangster from Tamil Nadu, who was active in Chennai throughout the 1970s
and 1980s.

Gowri Shanka, known by the nickname “Auto Shankar,” was one of the top Indian criminals, serial
killers, and gangsters. He hailed from Tamil Nadu and was quite active in Chennai in the 1970s and
1980s. He has been often times tagged as the “auto driver”, “dreaded murderer”, “conspirator”,
“womaniser”, inter alia.

Crimes committed by Gowri Shankar:

Gowri Shankar is known to have been involved in two wrongs: the smuggling of track and human
trafficking. His reign of crime and terror began at a time when the East Coast Road was still being
constructed. At that time, even Madras City was seen as a less bustling metropolis, let alone
Thiruvanmiyur, which was said to be a remote suburb and was outside the jurisdiction of the city
police. All these places were hidden places for illegal liquor brewing. Shankar would smuggle these
liquors, carrying them and supplying them in the interior lanes of Madras in his autorickshaw. While
doing so, he was introduced to sex work and prostitution, which were flourishing then in
Mahabalipuram. Women or sex workers had to travel between the city and the coastal tourist town,
where his auto came in handy; he would help them transport from place to place. Soon he set up his
own business and ran brothels in the Thiruvanmiyur area. He gained massive success there and also
expanded his client base, which included police officials and politicians. Not only this, but in order to
blackmail influential customers, he kept videotapes of them.

He, while performing all such activities, fell in love with a performer named Lalitha, which is said to
have ultimately been the cause of his downfall and, ultimately, his death. She eloped with Shankar’s
friend Sudalaimuthu, which is where it all began. Shankar, in his rage of anger, killed both of them
and buried Lalitha’s body in a plot in Periyar Nagar, whereas Sudalaimuthu was burned, and his ashes
were disposed of into the Bay of Bengal. After that, he also murdered Sudalaimuthu’s friend Ravi
when he confronted Shankar regarding his whereabouts. He adopted this method for all the young
girls who suddenly went missing from their houses.

By the 1980s, he had reached the infamous status of a gangster. In 1987, one of his victims’ bodies
was discovered. Between 1988 and 1989, he, along with his associates Shivaji and Eldin, murdered
several individuals, including teenagers. He was later found guilty of murdering no less than six girls
in Chennai. When Gowri Shankar was interrogated for his wrongdoings, he said he was pushed into
the world of crime by the influence of cinema.

In 1988, he led a luxurious life, having a multi-story house, cars, bikes, and contacts that would help
him with anything. In May 1988, he and his gang members had a tussle with 3 rival gang members,
namely, Sampath, Mohan, and Govindraj, who disagreed to pay for using his women. Shankar,
seeking revenge, invited them to his place, killed them, and buried them. By the end of June,
Sampath’s wife, Vijaya, lodged a missing person complaint with the local police station, but she was
redirected to another police station, which later arrested Shankar on the grounds of causing
nuisance. However, he was acquitted later. Looking at the injustice, Vijaya then reached out to the
governor, who commanded that this case be investigated. The police even then asked her not to
bother them with such complaints. Having no other option, Vijaya sought help from her journalist
neighbour, who assisted in publishing an article stating her husband might have been murdered.

Arrest, conviction, and trial of Gowri Shankar: A special inquiry was ordered by the Inspector General
after the discovery of the deaths of three men (discussed above) came to light. When confronted
about the same, he confessed to the aforementioned murders and those of the other three
individuals. He escaped from police custody in August 1990 along with five of his allies. Auto
Shankar’s trial, along with those of his allies Eldin and Shivaji, took place at the Chengalpattu
Sessions Court, and all of them were sentenced to death for their wrongdoings on May 31, 1991.
Shankar, when held in police custody, made a daring escape with the assistance of a woman but was
tracked down by Orissa and brought back. Subsequently, Shankar was hanged to death on April 27,
1995, at Salem Central Prison.

Punishment for crimes committed by Gowri Shankar:

Gowri Shankar was sentenced to death under Section 300 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC),
1860, by the Sessions Judge, Chenglepat, for all the murders thus committed on May 31, 1991, which
was confirmed by the Madras High Court on July 17, 1992.

Psychology of the Criminal

Auto Shankar's psychological profile was characterized by antisocial personality disorder and
psychopathy. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder typically disregard the law and the rights
of others, and Shankar was no exception. He had no remorse for his actions and felt no empathy
toward his victims. A lack of emotions, such as empathy and guilt, characterizes psychopathy. Auto
Shankar's actions demonstrated a lack of remorse and an absence of any emotional connection to
the pain he inflicted on others.

Auto Shankar was also highly paranoid, and he had a deep mistrust of the police and the judicial
system. This paranoia made him highly cautious in his approach to crime. He was known for his
ability to plan and execute crimes without leaving any evidence behind. This trait made him an
elusive target for the police, who struggled to catch him for years.

Overall, Auto Shankar's psychological profile was characterized by an antisocial personality disorder,
psychopathy, and paranoia. These traits contributed to his successful Serial Killer career and made
him a highly elusive target for the police. Understanding the Serial Killer psychology of individuals like
Auto Shankar can help us develop strategies to prevent similar crimes from occurring in the future.