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In this essay the link between criminal behavior and genetics will be discussed. Also in this paper the discussion on how crime, twin studies, adoption studies, and testosterone studies are linked to genetics will be discussed. This essay will show some of the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence that is linked to genetics and crime. I will also be giving my feelings on whether or not I agree with police departments using these findings, or if they should dismiss such findings.

The link between genetics and crimes is a very contentious topic when it comes to the study of criminology behaviors, where the primary focus is on environment and social factors that cause or influence felonious behaviors. The causes of criminal behavior have been in debate for some time now and today still there are many more questions than answers. The research shows that genetics is answerable for about 50% of criminal behavior and the rest shows environment explains for the rest.

Experts claim that receiving a particular gene doesn’t necessarily influence someone to a life of crime but factor in he/she has been in an abusive or violent childhood or some other negative environment influence and that risk increases significantly. There has been inevitability that an individual who holds certain characteristics will take part in a crime. Associate Professor of Forensic Psychology, Dr.

Fogel at The Chicago School’s Chicago Campus states, “When you understand where the individual came from, what they were exposed to, and the environment in which they grew up, you can understand why they engaged in the behavior that they did. ” Researchers have been studying the idea that the nurturing of an individual does or doesn’t obtain influences from behavioral changes for a long time now and found those environmental aspects such as intimidating parenting styles, physical and sexual abuse, abandonment, and family struggles are linked to anti-social behavior.

Things of this nature can cause a person to commit crimes, but they don’t have been because of person family genes. There has been many cases where occurrences throughout history has proved that some people just simply kill for no obvious reason, one hand of the argument says that murderers have an urge to kill rooted in their genes, and this can even happen before they leave their mother’s womb. There has been a very wide scope of analyses that have been completed throughout the years. This has been in a efforts to find a way of classifying potential killers.

The occurrence of an uncharacteristic chromosome or certain type of facial structures that is mutual in the most murderers. These types of efforts are not supported by appropriate scientific evidence, even though they give a strong case for criminals that are born with a key drive to want to kill. Twin Studies Twin studies have been shown to estimate the possibility that genetics can be linked to criminal behavior. The twin studies showed that by assessment of identical twins and their rates of criminal behavior vs.

fraternal twins and their rates of criminal behavior to successfully examine the roles of genetic and environmental factors that underwrite the criminal behavior. After thorough assessment the scientists learned that identical twins that suffered from antisocial disorders as children also suffered from it as an adult and that is was more than likely genetically inherited from their parents. When relating to common criminal behavior they discovered that genetic factors are more likely minute connotation to criminal behavior. (Jones, C. M. 2005). Adoption Studies

Source: law aspect