This paper discusses the effect of abnormalities in the brain, the brain damage or injury as well as the disturbance in the chemistry of the brain on the criminal behavior of an individual. The central nervous system has neurons and mechanisms that exist within the spinal cord and the brain. According to Keilp et al. (2013), the most significant part of the brain that triggers aggression and violence is the cerebral cortex, an outer portion of the brain. Most investigators studying the antisocial behavior of murderers or potential criminals pay most attention to the temporal and frontal lobes, as these lobes influence impulses, emotions, and goal-directed behavior.
Could criminal behavior result from brain dysfunction only, or could other determinants such as hereditary also play a role? Brain damage or disturbance of brain chemistry increases the chances of an individual to engage in criminal activities. Hereditary factors also play a significant role in determining the level of criminality, as genes are passed from parents to children. Psychopathy is evidenced to be in the brain, and those who kill may have been born to do so.
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According to Sarkar et al. (2013), frontal lobe dysfunction can lead to violent behaviors, where the offender is involved in fighting, assault, stabbing, and even in murder. On the other hand, the dysfunction of the temporal lobe tends to trigger sexual-related offenses. An individual who has both temporal and frontal lobe dysfunction exhibit both violent sexual crimes. One of such conjoint offenders is Chris Benoit who used different methods of killing depending on his target. For women, he raped them before cutting their throats, while some he beat them, stabbed them or strangled them to death. Chris Benoit, at the age of 14 he became addicted to killing. The killer says that he does not like love or sorry, but prefers hate.
Another case of psychopathy in the video is demonstrated by John Winston's case, who is accused of murdering seventeen girls. Dr. Daniel Amen, a neuroscientist through a scan observed John Winston's and realized that the killer’s brain was vulnerable to violence, he had lower activity and his cerebrum that most human thought of part of the brain was darker than the normal appearance. This difference in the appearance of the brain because of missing vital elements makes the psychopath lack essential traits such as consciousness, courtesy, and love among others.
One of the factors that might have contributed to Benoit killing children and raping young girls is the sexual harassment he faced when he was still young. The insult and sufferings that an individual undergoes during one’s early life play a significant role in building a psychopath. Dr. Adrian Raine, a neuro-criminologist says serial murderers lack remorse and guilt, and that is the reason why they terrorize society so much. According to Dr. Adrian Raine, one of the critical features among people with psychopathy is the structural impairment in some essential part of parts of the brain, which are involved in the generation of emotions. This part is structurally deformed among the psychopaths. People with an impaired brain have total disregard for human life.
Chronic blows over Benoit’s head in the course of his career as a boxer might have caused long-term effects, according to Dr. Julian Bailes, the chief of neurosurgery at WVU. Besides, the laboratory report revealed that Chris tested positive for the steroid, which some researchers state that they might have contributed to his actions. After detailed examination and analysis of the Chris’ brain, pathologists established that he had repeated blows on his head. His brain had the makings of abnormal proteins that indicates severe brain damage. In other studies, a link between brain damage or injuries referred to as lesions and the human brain’s wiring diagram has been established. According to Miller and Cummings (2007), this network takes part in the moral decision-making process in healthy people. It is noted that brain lesions in some of these critical locations increase the chances of victims to behave abnormally and engage in criminal activities. However, the mere presence of brain lesions is insufficient to enable the law enforcers whether or not to hold an individual legally responsible for his or her behavior. Brain damage and injuries should not be regarded as an excuse for just exonerating murderers. Dr. Fallen, born in a lineage that has a history of homicide, was brought up in a supportive family that showed him love and encouragement. Under normal circumstance, Chris, a world champion in boxing was unlikely to commit double homicide by killing his wife and his young son.
The brain damage can make an individual to become a psychopath. However, not all psychopaths are criminals, neither are all criminals psychopaths. Every criminal activity should be evaluated based on the available evidence and elaborate scientific evidence. It is also advisable to learn the behavior of children and to strive to correct any abnormalities when they are still young. Every psychopath was once an innocent baby. Parental love and constant encouragement are also essential elements for the growth and development of young children. The mind of psychopaths may not cure, but it is treatable, for instance, starting with a diet high in omega 3. According to Dr. Adrian Raine, three months of using omega three among children reduce their chances of becoming a psychopath by 35%.
References
Keilp, J. G., Gorlyn, M., Russell, M., Oquendo, M. A., Burke, A. K., Harkavy-Friedman, J., & Mann, J. J. (2013). Neuropsychological function and suicidal behavior: attention control, memory and executive dysfunction in suicide attempt. Psychological medicine , 43 (3), 539-551.
Miller, B. L., & Cummings, J. L. (2007). The human frontal lobes: Functions and disorders . New York, N.Y: Guilford Press.
Sarkar, S., Craig, M. C., Catani, M., Dell'Acqua, F., Fahy, T., Deeley, Q., & Murphy, D. G. (2013). Frontotemporal white-matter microstructural abnormalities in adolescents with conduct disorder: a diffusion tensor imaging study. Psychological Medicine , 43 (2), 401-411.
The Brain and Violence: Secrets of Your Mind. ABC News . Retrieved from:https://fod.infobase.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?Token=48023&aid=18596&Plt=FOD&loid=0&w=640&h=480&ref=
