Jolly not a serial killer, say criminologists

Kochi: Though police team – investigating the multiple murder cases at Koodathayi – is viewing the case as an example of serial killing, criminologists did not term the accused Jolly Joseph a serial killer. They said that serial killers usually work alone and kill strangers without a particular motive. So, Jolly cannot be termed one as the alleged victims were her kin and she had sought the help of others in committing the crime.

“Jolly does not fit the definition of a serial killer as such persons kill anyone they want out of their compulsive killing behaviour. The murders are done deliberately for some psychological reason and there is some down time between each killing that lacks a particular motive. In this case, Jolly had a specific motive, which is yet to be clear, and she was kind of removing the obstacles to achieve that motive. She had well-calculated plans,” said criminologist James Vadackumchery.

Former chief investigator at United Nations high commissioner for refugees and criminologist Ajithkumar Nair said the failure of the police system led to more deaths after Roy Thomas died. “If there is an unnatural death, police should go for an autopsy. In all cases, except Roy’s death, autopsy was not done. Though they found traces of cyanide in his body, they closed the case as suicide. How can the police simply rule out all the suspicions since cyanide was used, especially when other unnatural deaths had happened in the family?” he asked.

Vadackumchery said that proving the guilt of the accused during judicial scrutiny of the case will be extremely difficult due to the lack of forensic and direct evidence.

“Police have some circumstantial evidence; but they will be difficult to prove. Also, instead of registering FIRs in other deaths, police need to focus on Roy’s case and file a chargesheet at the earliest and then proceed to other cases. Otherwise, the stress will be high for the accused and it may affect the investigation,” he said.

Experts also said the forensic science wing of state police need to be strengthened and district-wise forensic labs, modern equipment and people who have expertise in handling them are needed as the severity of crimes are increasing with time.


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