The Genetic Aspects of Criminality

Abstract

This article considers the recent research carried out to assign responsibility to the importance of genetics as compared with environmental influences and other aspects such as neurological damage to an individual, which makes them susceptible to criminal type behaviour. While there is currently no gene directly linked to criminality, there are genes that are responsible for such functions as aggressiveness and impulsiveness to some degree. The area is currently undergoing considerable influence and investigation with research being carried out in seeking to deal with such diseases as cancer and a variety of mental illnesses. It is currently impossible to assign major responsibility for criminal behaviour and those traits leading to criminal behaviour through either genetics or the environment since both appear to be involved. Neurological damage, pre-natal and post-natal, as well as accidents which affect the brain tissue and many other factors are likely to predispose certain individuals to criminal behaviour. All these factors interact with one another in a variety of permutations. We will need to wait and see what other evidence is presented through the research regarding genes being responsible for criminal behaviour by which is generally meant violent and aggressive behaviour rather than white collar crimes. A major effort should currently be directed towards preventing brain damage and other neurological problems as well as dealing with families that are likely to be prone to producing children of anti-social, aggressive, and violent behaviour. In addition to the home setting, schools, society and the mass media can do much to prevent criminal demeanour as well as the preventive aspects through the police and the courts. It is almost certain that currently forensic psychology and psychiatry are unlikely to be able to rely on genetic aspects in defence of clients and their anti-social behaviour. Time and further research into the influence of genes may modify this viewpoint.