Scientific research in forensic samples

Abstract

Much of the current research on the neurobiology of crime has examined samples of individuals who meet criteria for disorders that commonly result in criminal behaviour, such as antisocial personality disorder (APD) and psychopathy. The prefrontal cortex, and in particular orbitofrontal region, plays a role in decision-making and inhibition, whereas amygdala and hippocampus are involved in emotional processing. This chapter attempts to clarify how neurobiological research has begun to elucidate how deficits in particular brain regions might put someone at risk for criminal behaviour, in hopes to better understand its aetiology. This information could lead to advances in treatment and management of individuals whose actions lead to their involvement in the criminal justice system. For example, previous research on violent offenders that takes into account the effects of severe physical child abuse found brain differences that indicate that dysfunction in right temporal cortex combined with serious child abuse may put someone at greater likelihood of violently offending as an adult.