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- Title
Forensic Value of Genetic Variants Associated with Anti-Social Behavior.
- Authors
Oliva, Antonio; Grassi, Simone; Zedda, Massimo; Molinari, Marco; Ferracuti, Stefano
- Abstract
Insanity defense is sometimes invoked in criminal cases, and its demonstration is usually based on a multifactorial contribution of behavioural, clinical, and neurological elements. Neuroradiological evidence of structural alterations in cerebral areas that involve decision-making and moral reasoning is often accepted as a useful tool in these evaluations. On the other hand, the genetic predisposition to anti-social behavior is still controversial. In this paper, we describe two cases of violent crimes committed by young carriers of genetic variants associated with personality disorder; both the defendants claimed to be insane at the time of the crime. We discuss these cases and review the scientific literature regarding the relationship between legal incapacity/predisposition to criminal behavior and genetic mutations. In conclusion, despite some genetic variants being able to influence several cognitive processes (like moral judgement and impulse control), there is currently no evidence that carriers of these mutations are, per se, incapable of intentionally committing crimes.
- Subjects
GENETIC variation; CRIMINAL behavior; SCIENTIFIC literature; INSANITY defense; VIOLENT crimes; GENETIC mutation
- Publication
Diagnostics (2075-4418), 2021, Vol 11, Issue 12, p2386
- ISSN
2075-4418
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/diagnostics11122386