Genetics and Criminal Behavior - Research Paper Example

If for instance a person is proved to be genetically predisposed to criminal behaviour, they can be given intervention therapy to help them not to end up in crime. This would be like knowing that someone is about to get some disease and intervening before they actually get the disease. It would work as a way to immunize the person from criminal behaviour by helping them to be able to recognise their won weaknesses and how to overcome them. The second way in which this kind of approach to criminology can be useful in the prevention of crime is by helping the criminals to be able to pin point criminals long before they commit any crime (Connor, 1995).

Not only would it be able to help in preventing crime, it would also be able to help in situations where investigations of already committed crime are being carried out. This would help in identifying suspects in a much easier way and being able to carry out investigations in an effective way. There are various cases where genetics have been seen to be a cause for criminal behaviour. A good example of this is the Jared Lee Loughner case in which Jared Lee Loughner went on a shooting spree where he killed six people and injured numerous others (Denno, 2011).

His defence counsel asked that a forensic psychiatrist carry out an assessment of the suspect. William Bernet, a psychiatrist carried out an assessment of the suspect and concluded that he had a rare mental condition, monoamine oxidase which would predispose him to violent actions. The lawyers were able to prove that the suspect did not carry out the criminal act of his own will but that he was genetically predisposed to do the same. The above case also proves that using behavioural genetics can be useful in the justice system in making sure that justice is served in the best way possible.

Failing to do so will mean that the people will not be able to get full