Dr. Amrutha Karayil
Assistant Professor & Program Director, B.Sc. Criminology, Cyber Law & Forensic ScienceAbout
Dr. Amrutha Karayil is an Assistant Professor in Criminology & Victimology at the School of Law, RV University, Bengaluru. She holds a Ph.D. in Criminology from the University of Madras, where her doctoral research examined constructs of rape myth acceptance. She also holds a Master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration; a Masters in English from the University of Madras and a Diploma in Victimology and Victim Assistance from Tokiwa University, Japan.
Prior to joining RV University, she served as an Assistant Professor at the School of Behavioural Forensics, National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, and as Assistant Professor and Founding Head of the Department of Criminology at D.G. Vaishnav College, Chennai. With 14 years of experience in teaching, research, training, and academic engagement, she has taught and contributed to professional training in Criminology, Victimology, Juvenile Justice, Research Methodology and related areas.
Her teaching and research interests include Crimes against Women and Children, Sexual Violence and Victimization, Trauma and Violence-Informed Practices, Victimology and Victim Assistance, Behavioural Evidence Analysis, Crime Analysis and Predictive Policing, Ritualistic and Occult Crimes, Juvenile Justice, and Youth Offending.
Dr. Karayil has been actively involved in academic and professional training, including programmes for police personnel, government officials, and international forensic investigation professionals. Her research engagement includes participation and presentations at national and international conferences, workshops, and seminars, along with scholarly publications. She is a member of the World Society of Victimology, International Society of Criminology, Indian Society of Victimology, and Indian Society of Criminology.
Trauma and Violence-Informed Practices in Victim Services: A Comparative Review
This comparative review examines trauma- and violence-informed approaches within victim services, focusing on safety, trust, empowerment, choice, and sensitive professional responses. It highlights the importance of victim-centred and evidence-informed practices in strengthening support systems and addressing the diverse needs of individuals affected by violence and trauma.
Ritualistic Murders in India
This research examines ritualistic murders in India through a criminological lens, exploring the psychological, social, cultural, and belief-based dimensions associated with ritualistic offending. It contributes to understanding the distinctive characteristics and contextual factors underlying ritualistic crimes and highlights the value of interdisciplinary approaches to investigating such offences.
Exploring the Role of Applied Theatre and Expressive Art Therapy in Victim Recovery: A Review
This review explores the potential of applied theatre and expressive art therapy in supporting victim recovery. It examines creative approaches to emotional expression, communication, agency, and healing, highlighting their potential contribution to holistic, victim-centred, and trauma-sensitive support alongside conventional therapeutic and victim assistance interventions.
Reactions to Sexual Victimization in India: An Aftermath of Nirbhaya
This work examines societal reactions to sexual victimization in India following the Nirbhaya case. It explores broader perceptions surrounding victims, perpetrators, justice, and sexual violence, contributing to understanding how high-profile cases influence social discourse and responses to sexual victimization within the Indian context.
Attitude towards Rape, its Victims and Perpetrator: A Study among University Students
This research examines university students’ attitudes towards rape, victims, and perpetrators, contributing to understanding social perceptions surrounding sexual violence. The study forms part of broader research examining rape myths, victim blaming, and societal responses to sexual victimization, particularly among young adults.
Voices of Separation: A Qualitative Study of Overall Mental Wellbeing of Women Prisoners Affected by Child Separation in Yerawada Central Jail, Pune
This qualitative study explores the experiences and mental wellbeing of women prisoners affected by separation from their children. It foregrounds their lived experiences and contributes to understanding the psychosocial dimensions of imprisonment, motherhood, child separation, and the need for responsive support systems within correctional settings.
Ph.D. in Criminology, University of Madras (2021), with doctoral research focused on Rape Myth Acceptance among the Working-Age Population in Chennai City, examining social perceptions and attitudes surrounding sexual violence and victimisation. The research reflects her sustained engagement with rape myths, victim blaming, sexual victimisation, and gender-based violence.
From Assessment to Intervention: Mapping Global Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Tools and Addressing Gaps in the Indian Context – 3rd International Conference on Global Criminology and Victimology (2026).
Preventing Violence Against Women: An Examination of Gender Differences across Perception of Responsibility among University Students in India (2026)
Harnessing AI for the Detection and Prediction of Non-Violent Crimes: Global Lessons and India’s Prospects – 2nd International Conference on Global Criminology and Victimology (2025).
Emerging Trends in Cyber Crime: An Analysis of Awareness, Threats and Security Measures – World Conference on Criminology (2025)
The Paradox of Legal Reforms and Ground Reality: A Twenty-Year Trend Analysis of Rape Cases in India (2002 – 2022)
Trauma and Violence-Informed Practices in Victim Services: A Comparative Review (2025), examining approaches to integrating trauma- and violence-informed practices within victim services.
Ritualistic Murders in India (2025), exploring ritualistic offending within the Indian context.
Investigating Attitudes towards Rape Myths and Victim Blaming Among Officials in One Stop Centers in Andhra Pradesh: A Qualitative Study (2025).
Exploring the Role of Applied Theatre and Expressive Art Therapy in Victim Recovery: A Review (2024), examining creative and therapeutic approaches to victim recovery.
Reactions to Sexual Victimization in India: An Aftermath of Nirbhaya (2016), published in Global Victimology: New Voices.
A Psycho-Social Examination of Occult Crimes: Special Reference to Kerala Narabali Case – 43rd All India Criminology Conference (2022).
She has authored/co-authored research publications and presented 45+ research papers at national and international conferences, seminars, and symposiums, including forums of the World Society of Victimology, Asian Criminological Society, Indian Society of Criminology, and International Society of Criminology.
Research Interests
Victimology, victim assistance and sexual victimization
Gender-based violence
Rape myths and victim blaming
Trauma- and violence-informed practices and victim recovery
Crimes against women and children
Violence prevention
Juvenile justice and youth offending
Ritualistic crimes
Behavioural evidence analysis and crime analysis
Cybercrime, social engineering and technology-facilitated victimization
AI-driven crime detection, prediction and emerging criminological technologies
Domestic violence risk assessment
CPTED & Safety governance
Distinguished Women Achiever Award (2023)
Conferred by the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) – India, Chennai Chapter, in recognition of contributions to Corporate Security and other professional achievements.
World Society of Victimology Fellowship (2015)
Awarded the WSV Fellowship to participate in the 15th International Symposium of the World Society of Victimology in Perth, Australia, on victimisation, justice, and healing.
Best Paper Award (2015)
Received the Best Paper Award at the National Conference on Women in the 21st Century: Working Towards Empowerment, Goa College of Home Science, for the paper “Attitude towards rape, its victims and perpetrator: A study among University students.”
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
Awarded the UGC Research Fellowship in Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration, supporting her early research career.
International Academic Training in Victimology
Completed the XXXI Post Graduate Course on Victimology, Victim Assistance and Criminal Justice at the Inter University Centre, Dubrovnik, Croatia (2015).
Assistant Professor & Program Director, B.Sc. Criminology, Cyber Law & Forensic Science
School of Law
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Bengaluru
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