genetic and neural explanations

• genetic explanations

  suggest that would-be offenders inherit a gene or a combination of genes that predispose them to commit crime
• adoption studies

  Crowe 1972

  found that adopted children whose biological mother has a criminal record had a 50% chance to having a criminal record by the age of 18
• candidate genes

  Tiihonen et al - found that two genes (MAOA and CDH13) may be associated with violent crime
• MAOA gene

  regulates serotonin in the brain and has been linked to aggressive behaviour
• CDH13 gene

  has been linked to substance abuse and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

  5-10% of all severe violent crimes in Finland is attributed to the MAOA and CDH13 genes
• neural explanations

  evidence suggests that there may be neural differences in the brains of offenders and non-offenders

  links to anti-social personality disorder
• Raine's findings regarding the prefrontal cortex

  studies of the antisocial personality disorder brain

  they have reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex
• what is the prefrontal cortex for?

  part of the brain that regulates emotional behaviour
• Raine's findings regarding grey matter in the prefrontal cortex

  found an 11% reduction in the volume of grey matter in the prefrontal cortex of people with APD compared to controls
• limitation of genetic and neural explanations

  the biological approach suggests that offending behaviour is determined solely by genetic and neural factors

  however, the CJS is based on the idea that we all have responsibility for out actions which suggests it isn't biological