Criminological Theories - Assignment Example

?Criminological Theories Criminological Theories Criminological Theories Abstract The possibility of genetic influence in the causation of criminal behavior is presented. This is with the discussion of several studies on hormones, twin and adoption in which they present strong evidence supporting the role of genes in the causation of crime. Selections of some peer studied articles were included to support some assertions on genetic domination. Books were also used as other sources of information. The strength and weaknesses of genetic claims were likewise discussed in which some examples are given. Personal opinion as to whether the police department would consider genetic findings as important is incorporated. Likewise, the dangers of the possibility of criminal genes are expounded with personal ideas. The consequences of criminal gene in the criminal justice if proven to be true were also explained. Introduction When an ordinary person commits a crime, people usually do not care but when a celebrity shop lifts, the whole story spreads like fire and speculators begin to dissect the cause of such action. This is because it is unbelievable for celebrated individuals to behave in such manner. Experts also agree with their belief that well known people will not carry out such petty crime to ruin their long established reputation. They hold on to the idea that the genetic makeup of the person might have been involved in the act. Less clear however is the role of genes in the commission of the crime. Addressing the following questions suggests that genes are responsible. Discuss the merits of the idea that genetics are a source for criminal behavior There had been considerable evidence that genes are implicated in the criminal behavior in some individuals for the past several years. One of the examples is divulged in the study by Dabbs and colleagues (2007) in which they found out that men who are more aggressive have high levels of hormone. In their study, the group conducted measurement of testosterone levels among 692 inmates with saliva as their medium. With this, it was revealed that participants with high levels are those who are involved in more violent crimes and tend to violate prison rules more often. They also disclosed that not only males with high testosterone demonstrate aggressiveness but females as well. Hostility is observed in females with high levels of saliva measurement. Apart from this, females demonstrate a pattern of aggressiveness and irritability during their menstrual period. In fact, about 70% of crimes committed by women were executed during their premenstrual period or before the onset of their menstruation. Hormones are known to exert strong influence on both conscious and unconscious behavior because it induces brain events prompting the individual to behave in certain ways. Another study also pointed the role of MOA-A genes in behavior. Genes carrying a repeat in 3 alleles is strongly identified to precipitate criminal behavior however has to interplay with psychosocial factors (Nilsson et al. 2006). Twin studies also support the declaration that genetics increases the risk of criminal behavior. The study of Mednick, Gabrielli, and Hutchings (1987) provided an interesting finding of both dizygotic and monozygotic twins. Although there is a slight difference in the percentage of criminal tendency between identical and fraternal twins, their study of more than three thousand twin pairs in Denmark affirmed that twin pairs inherit the criminal characteristics of their biological parents. Identical twins accounts for 52% risk from criminal behavior while fraternal twins showed about 22% vulnerability. It was also reported that adoptees whose fathers are convicted of certain crime have high proportion of criminal behavior despite the non divulgence of parents to the adoptees regarding their crime compared with children whose fathers do not have criminal records. Other similar studies on identical twins further attested that although twin sisters or brothers grow in different places, they are still similar in physical and behavioral traits. It is likely that when the other twin possesses the criminal tendency, the other behaves in the same way. This shows that there is a high chance of the hereditability traits to influence behavior in off springs (Siegel & Welsh, 2010). Adoption studies linking genetics with crime is exemplified in the same study of Mednick and company (1987) where they explained that the first US adoption studies had proven the same claim that genetic are a source of criminal behavior. Children born with biological mothers with history of anti social behavior demonstrate the same antisocial behavior found in their biological parents. Although, the crime involved is not violent in nature, adoptee children whose parents are implicated in property crime are also found to have committed almost the same nature of crime. Succeeding experimental studies on the effect of genes in the behavior of adopted children supported the claim of Mednick and company (1987). What are some of the strength and weaknesses of the evidence surrounding genetics and crimes? The strength of genetic evidence is based on the scientific findings. Majority of medical books support the claim that the hormonal changes in a person’s body affects behavior. The validity of information provided makes the claim impossible to question. With the advance technology these days in determining levels of hormone, it is unlikely to bring unconvincing result. Such strategy provides better analysis on what is known and what is not known. The methodology of genetic testing is also highly credible since the variables which may interfere with the result can be controlled. Indeed, genetic findings on extra Y chromosome were used in some court trials (Anderson, et. al. 2007) making genetic screening a protocol in some countries before hearings. However, scientific methods should be clearly discussed and explained to the respondents for them to fully cooperate. This is especially in the study of chromosomal aberrations. Over all, genetic evidences are not assumed but empirical knowledge. Although, there had been many studies on genetic influences on criminal behavior, it is somewhat surprising that there were several identified weaknesses. One of the weaknesses points to the absence of a control group. In one study, a control group was not employed to compare the findings making other experts skeptical of the result. Researches normally employ control groups to have a reliable baseline data for comparison. This is to remove all the confounding variables believed to interfere with the interpretation of the findings. Another factor affecting evidence is the unreliable source of information. Some genetic studies conducted their research obtaining records from unreliable sources. An example of this is the study cited by Mednick (1987) in which the record of biological parents of the adoptee participants were derived from a poorly maintained adoption institution. Medical and criminal records were inadequate to supply the needed information resulting in unreliable data. If parents were located, they do not like to cooperate. The same holds true with some of the targeted adoptees. The method of gathering data is yet another weakness in establishing genetic causation of criminal behavior. Some studies were conducted using the phone interview which is considered as unreliable because of the danger of substitution on the person being interviewed. All these account for the weaknesses surrounding genetic claims in the commission of crimes. Do you feel that police department should consider or dismiss such findings? Genetic findings should be considered by the police department with the reason that it could be analyze for evidence of disorder. It serves as a diagnosis of certain diseases in offenders. Along this line, policemen may understand the situation of the individuals involved. Suspects who are also victims of the circumstance are provided appropriate treatment. This is one of the highlights presented in the book of Cronkhite (2007) where he attempted to lay a more open criminal justice system in considering genetic contribution. Although not all, some delinquent individuals are found to be suffering from abnormalities in their genes or other pathological diseases. Others might even be suffering from deficiencies in their diet to cause imbalances in their body chemicals compelling them to act in a deviant manner. With genetic evidences, offenders are dealt with properly by policemen instead of judging them right from the beginning and treating them like a hard core criminal. Offenders who are labeled immediately by policemen as deviants are believed to be forced to live with the label given them whether they intentionally committed the crime or as a result of genetic makeup owing to the stigma attached with the label (Schaefer, 2006). Policemen who are knowledgeable with the impact of genes in criminal behavior are more humane to become the prime movers in spotting deviant behaviors in offenders. As a result, early intervention can commence which is important in the success of treatments with this group. What are some of the dangers of suggesting that there is criminal gene? If in the event there is indeed criminal gene, this would bring several dangers in the criminal justice system and in the society as a whole. First, it would affect the conviction of the offender. The punishment commensurate to the crime committed will be shortened. This has already been adopted in the court of Italy. In a news report from the international weekly journal of science dated 2009, an offender of murder which is a heinous crime serves a shorter term in contrast to convicts without criminal genes. It was pointed out that the possible reason for this is the inability of the person to regulate the impulse of killing. Another is that they do not understand the consequence of their action. Second, it would be used for lawyers as an excuse for their clients with heinous crime to get away from the teeth of the law. It cannot be denied that there are some psychiatrists, forensic experts, and geneticists who are paid to alter DNA result or brain imaging suggesting mental illness. As a result, offenders are spared from their responsibility with the law (Anderson, et al. 2007). Since criminal genes would be passed from one generation to the next, it would also pose danger to the society. Individuals who are unaware of their criminal genes are Scott free and at any time they may strike to harm others. The extent of harm they may cause might be too great to bear. What would be the repercussions in the field of criminal justice if the existence of the criminal gene is proven to be true? For obvious reason, the criminal justice system would be reconstructed giving additional bulk of work to the justice staffs because the system would be different from those offenders without criminal genes. For instance, if the offender is suspected to carry aggressive genes, it is most likely that more security guards are needed. The investigation would be focused on the individual’s mental state instead of establishing evidences in the commission of the crime. This would require the need of forensic experts, geneticists, psychiatrists, medical practitioners and other experts deemed to contribute in establishing biological and mental state. Perhaps, this would make the criminal law similar to psychiatry since the investigation would revolve around the tenet of mitigating factors making the criminal justice system turbulent because it is based on the concept of freewill. Conclusion The role of genetic in the causation of crime is significant. From the studies of hormones, twin and adoptee studies, to strength of genetic evidence, it becomes clear that genetics is merited as a source of criminal behavior. Through the process of investigation, it also dictates treatment of afflicted individuals. However, genes should not act as the lone predictor in the causation of deviant behavior. Deciding the case on its merit alone is dangerous because it threatens the criminal justice system and the society in general. The criminal law should avoid falling into the pitfall of genetic advancement in creating a coherent and suitable approach. References Anderson, J., et al. (2007). Criminal justice and criminology: Terms, concepts and cases. Elsevier publishing. Cronkhite, C. (2007). Criminal justice administration: strategies for the 21st century. Jones and Bartlett publication. Dabbs, J., et al. (2007). Testosterone, crime, and misbehavior among 692 prison inmates. Person individual diff. vol. 18 (5). Retrieved from www.crimetimes.org. on November 19, 2011. Mednick, SA., Gabrielli, WF., & Hutchings, B. ( 1987). Genetic factors in the etiology of criminal behavior. Retrieved from justice4victims. Org. on November 19, 2011. Nilsson, KW., et al. ( 2006). Role of monoamine oxidase A genotype and psychosocial factors in male adolescents criminal activity. Biological psychiatry. 59 (2). Schaefer, R. Sociology. 2006. New York. McGraw-Hill companies. Siegel, L., & Welsh, B. (2010). Juvenile delinquency: the core. Cengage. Read More