Can genetics explain non-violent crime?

• Why is it difficult to apply genetic explanations to all crimes?

  • most genetic research focuses on violent/aggressive crime, but many crimes are non-violent (e.g. fraud, drug use, theft)
• What does research say about genetic links to non-violent crime?

  • Blonigen et Al (2005) found evidence for a genetic basis of psychopathy (linked to crime due to lack of empathy)

  • Lynn Findlay (2011) argued that crime is a social construct, making it difficult to explain all criminal behaviours through genetics alone