GENETIC THEORY OF CRIME

Genetic theory of Crime



Genetic Theory of Crime

The genetic theory of the origin of criminal behavior have been a source of contention for over a century, since the proposed Lombroso quasi-biological explanations for criminal behavior. The genetic theory of crime, have been particularly controversial in the field of criminology because of eugenic policies that they inspired, have been carried out during the Nazi era (Bartol, Bartol, 1987).

Sequencing the human genome, have created renewed interest in the contribution of genetics and social behavior of rejected such as drug addiction, mental illness and criminal behavior. And the media and the public have expressed considerable interest in stories related genes such disorders and the perceived implications for policy. Criminologists, lawyers and criminal justice policy should be well informed about the results of studies on the genetics of criminal behavior and its weaknesses, which should only grow asgenetic the study of behavior is becoming more sophisticated.

Twin studies and adoption of the theory

Behavioral genetics is likely to have little impact on the daily work of most mental health professionals, lawyers, judges and others involved in the criminal justice system. Arcane studies often are not replicated, suggest that some connection between genes and the propensity to commit criminal acts, is now of dubious relationship to the system, which is struggling to provide basic justice to the complex combination of the accused. Recent studies, however, suggest that behavioral genetics may be the next outside world in the field of criminal justice and mental health professionals who can play a critical role in assisting the courts to reflect the new data.

Twin studies

Twin studies suggest that two members of two pairs of experience, on average, under the same conditions and therefore no major differences between the pair should be linked to genetic variations.

Studies involving monozygotic (identical) and dyzogotic (not identical) twins (Lange 1929, 1932 Legras, Rosenoff 1934, Rosenoff, Handy and Plesset 1941, Krantz 1936, Stumpfi 1936, Borgstrom 1939), both to support the crime, the basis of genetic evidence that an average of 75% of identical twins were criminals, while only 24%, not identical twins have been criminal.

More recent studies, two were able to correctly identify the monozygotic twins, the blood typing, these studies report correlation between identical twins, although not as high as previous studies, an average of 48%, while identical twins are criminals and 20% when both non - identical twins were criminal.

From these studies, we can say that criminal behavior has a genetic basis, but many other factors that were not necessarily considered. It can be argued that the twins share the same conditions, can move to the same school may be considered in the same manner, are more likely to share friends etc. Conversely, some identical twins may strive to be as distinct from such as would be different from each other

Law and Psychology

When we speak of psychology in relation to the law, we would probably be most interested in the study of personality disorders, as it examines the causes of abnormal behavior that ...