Forensic Value of Genetic Variants Associated with Anti-Social Behavior.

Diagnostics (Basel)

Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00165 Rome, Italy.

Published: December 2021


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Article 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.

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8700269PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics11122386DOI Listing

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