Biochemical

• Overproduction or underproduction of sex hormones can cause emotional disturbances which could lead to criminal behaviour.
• Males of most species are more aggressive and this could be put down to testosterone.
• Ellis and Coontz claim that testosterone levels peak from puberty to early 20s and 30s.
• The age range of peak testosterone levels also correlates with male offending rates.
• Premenstrual tension, postnatal depression and lactation have been accepted as partial differences from women charged with crimes.
• Low blood sugar can trigger aggressive action.
• Alcohol is linked to crimes of violence.
• There is a link between hypoglycemia and alcohol abuse.
• Schoenthaler claims that by reducing the daily sucrose intake of young offenders it will reduce their antisocial behaviour.
• Substance abuse, particularly alcohol, plays a significant role in about 1000 arrests per day, according to Saunders.
• In the USA, Flanzer estimated that 80% of family violence involved alcohol or cocaine, which is also closely linked with violence, while cannabis, heroin and MDMA tend to reduce aggression.
• Food additives and diet allergens, vitamins deficiencies can all affect biochemical processes in the body.
• Lead and the synthetic food colouring tartrazine have both been linked with hyperactivity.
• Vitamin B deficiencies have been linked to erratic and aggressive behaviour.