Electroencephalography in criminology.

Abstract

Some practical and theoretical aspects of the use of electroencephalography in criminology are reviewed. Examples are given of various factors in the EEG pattern and in certain activation techniques showing correlation with certain attributes of personality structure. Briefly presented are EEG studies of psychopathic populations and those of convicted criminals, including murderers. The relatively high incidence, among murderers, of clinical epileptics and persons with EEG's showing epileptic implications, is discussed, as well as the significance of the 14 and 6 cycles per second positive spike complex, which is still a controversial issue. In spite of widely divergent findings, it is generally agreed that there is a relatively high incidence of abnormal EEG's among criminal and delinquent populations, though without a specific and consistent EEG pattern characterizing these groups; that the most often seen abnormalities are the presence of excessive theta activity, focal temporal lobe pathology, and instability of the patterns, often epileptic in nature; that the age factor needs special consideration in the EEG appraisal of criminal or delinquent populations, and that aggressive behaviour, continuous or episodic, appears to be the common denominator in the personality structure of these populations.