In the first, Maharashtra approved scientific research on serial killers in state prisons

The model for prison research is said to be based on the FBI’s elite serial crime division | Image source: Getty Images/Istockphoto

The Maharashtra government approved the implementation of the criminological research project “Rudra” (Rudra) for all prisons in the state on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, for 10 years. The purpose of the project is to be very useful for rehabilitation and criminal investigations of prisoners who commit heinous crimes.

First, Maharashtra is debugging such research, making significant progress in the field of serial killers and outrageous criminal psychology in India. The model for this study will be based on the FBI’s elite serial crime division.

The government resolution (GR) issued on Tuesday mentioned that access to a team of forensic experts was allowed to interview prisoners who were imprisoned for serial killing and rape. The state government approved the study based on forensic expert Atharva Pankaj Deshpande and inferred the study from an interview with prisoners (serial killer and arrested for rape) in the central prisons in Amravati and Nagpur regions. They presented their findings to the Chief Minister, which are based on research on psychology and interrogation skills of major crime victims.

An agreement on the terms and conditions for the implementation of the project in national prisons was signed on May 7. The terms and conditions of the agreement will be binding on the parties, such as GR.

The team has also gained recognition for publishing its research paper in the journal Forensic Medical Sciences and Law.

The state government has decided to issue ID cards to Mr. Deshpande and his team members to interview inmates in all prisons in the state and direct all prison officials and employees to collaborate in the research efforts.