Genetics and criminal behaviour: recent accomplishments

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Lagoa, A (Author) Other; Santos A (Author) FMUP; Pinheiro, MF (Author) Other; Teresa Magalhães (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Medicine, Science and the Law

Vol. 49

Pages: 274-282

ISSN: 0025-8024

Publisher: SAGE

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 3 Citations

Scopus - 5 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-FHJ

DOI: 10.1258/rsmmsl.49.4.274

Abstract (EN): The past two decades have seen an explosion in research in the fields of violence and behavioural genetics. Advances in human genetics have raised the possibility that genetic mechanisms can explain various aspects of human criminal and aggressive behaviour. However, this new knowledge can pose enormous challenges concerning the moral and legal conceptions of free will and responsibility. This paper reviews the main aspects of behavioural genetics, focusing on criminal and aggressive behaviour and describes the most important genes known to influence this behaviour.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9