Forensic Value of Genetic Variants Associated with Anti-Social Behavior

Oliva, Antonio; Grassi, Simone; Zedda, Michele; Molinari, Marco; Ferracuti, Stefano

doi:10.3390/diagnostics11122386

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 86 publications

(106 reference statements)

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“…Additionally, MAO-A-L homozygous women with a history of childhood sexual abuse are more likely to show ASD symptoms. This interaction has only been reported in women who were sexually abused in childhood [10,14,15].…”

Section: Literature Studiesmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…revealed that he exhibited aggressive/violent antisocial behavior as well as non-violent antisocial behavior [11]. According to the most comprehensive studies on the MAO-A gene, the frequency of the 3R variant is estimated to be around 51-59% in African Americans and 33-37% in Caucasians [12][13][14]. On the other hand, the 4R allele is found in 36-43% of African Americans and 60-65% of Caucasians.…”

Section: Literature Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Usability of MAO-A gene in the judicial process

Mustafayeva,

Yuksel,

Akkan

2024

Med-Science

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Monoamine oxidase (MAO-A) is an enzyme found in the nervous system and plays an important role in the breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters. This enzyme varies among individuals depending on genetic factors. The monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) gene has been studied by various researchers to understand behavioral differences between individuals and evaluate crime propensity. However, serious ethical and legal problems may arise regarding the use of genetic factors alone in the judicial process. In this context, considering environmental factors as well as the MAO-A gene may contribute to the development of a more comprehensive approach. The role of the MAO-A gene in the judgment process has created an area of research that allows us to understand behavioral differences. The MAO-A gene has been associated with various behavioral traits. It has particular effects on aggressive behavior, antisocial behavior, and emotional reactions. In this context, the MAO-A gene may be an important factor in determining how individuals respond to environmental factors and guide their judgment processes. Some studies show that individuals with low MAO-A activity may be prone to antisocial behavior and crime. Thus, the MAO-A gene can be taken into consideration in determining guilt in legal processes. Assessing individuals' criminal propensity based on genetic factors can make the justice system more effective and fair. For example, harsh childhood conditions or traumatic experiences can trigger genetic predispositions and increase criminal propensity. In this case, it is important to take environmental factors into account when evaluating the genetic profile of the individual during the judicial process. Many ethical and legal issues need to be carefully considered on how to integrate the MAO-A gene into the judicial system. Therefore, research on the usability of the MAO-A gene in the judicial process should be continued.

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Section: Literature Studiesmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Literature Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Usability of MAO-A gene in the judicial process

Mustafayeva,

Yuksel,

Akkan

2024

Med-Science

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“…Oliva and colleagues (2021) discuss two Italian criminal cases in detail in which defendants were carriers of genetic variants associated with antisocial behavior. They note that although scientific literature had demonstrated an association between the genetic variants carried by the two defendants and impaired impulse control, courts did not consider the information to be evidence of mental incapacity, as there was evidence of planning and deliberation in the commission of both violent crimes.…”

Section: Neurobiological Evidence In Criminal Courts Outside the Usmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of neurobiological evidence in sentencing mitigation

Khalid,

Lee,

Wall

2024

Behavioral Sci & The Law

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Neurobiological evidence has grown increasingly relevant in U.S. criminal proceedings, particularly during sentencing. Neuroimaging, such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography scans, may be introduced by defense counsel to demonstrate brain abnormalities to argue for more lenient sentencing. This practice is common for penalty mitigation in cases eligible for capital punishment. This article reviews the history of the use of neuroscience in criminal cases from the early 20th Century to present, noting pertinent legal and ethical considerations for the use of such evidence. The authors review important empirical research conducted in recent years regarding the use of neurobiological evidence in legal proceedings (such as mock‐juror studies) and guidance from the federal sentencing guidelines and the American Bar Association. The discussion also notes relevant case law in which neuroimaging, behavioral genetics, or other neurobiological data were introduced in criminal proceedings, particularly precedent‐setting U.S. Supreme Court cases.

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“…Children who witness violence – especially in case of recurrent episodes –tend to develop impaired attachment to primary caregivers and are exposed to significant physical, social and psychological issues like post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide ( 1 , 2 , 12 – 16 ). The particular vulnerability of the children is due to their scarce cognitive ability to distinguish between a threat to an adult and a threat to themselves ( 1 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trend in 167 cases of minors witnessing violence: The role played by COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2022

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BackgroundThere currently is no evidence that COVID-19 has had an impact on the rates of psychological abuses occurring when a minor witnesses interpersonal violence.AimOur aim was to describe the accesses of the last four years to the Emergency Department of a tertiary hospital (Careggi University Hospital—Florence, Italy) due to this issue and then to evaluate whether the COVID-19 has had an impact on this trend.MethodsWe collected data regarding cases of abuse in which at least a minor had reportedly witnessed the event. Medical records stored between January 1, 2018 to January 1, 2022 were analyzed, extracting sex, age and nationality of the victim; sex of the perpetrator and relationship with the victim; known previous episodes of abuse in the medical history of the victim; setting of the abuse (domestic vs. non-domestic); type of abuse (physical, psychological, sexual); whether the perpetrator was under the influence of alcohol/drugs; whether the victim was hospitalized; prognosis of the victim; number, relation with the victim and involvement in the abuse (as co-victim) of the minor(s) who witnessed the abuse.ResultsA total of 167 eligible cases were registered. 69% of victims had previous episodes of abuse. The perpetrators were all known and mainly males (96%).The abuses were mainly domestic (79%). In 74% of the cases only a type of violence was perpetrated. In 12% of the cases, the minors were also victims of physical abuse. No statistically significant relationships were found between the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes in the number of cases of domestic abuse (p = 0.07), physical abuse (p = 0.62), psychological abuse (p = 0.83) or sexual abuse (p = 0.88). However, during the institutional lockdown in Italy (March-May 2022) only two cases occurred – a number that did not allow period-specific statistical inference.ConclusionsEmpowering the hospital policies specifically aimed at identifying and protecting the victims of violence/witnessed violence remains a critical goal from both a public health and medico-legal point of view.

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Forensic Value of Genetic Variants Associated with Anti-Social Behavior

Cited by 4 publications

References 86 publications

Usability of MAO-A gene in the judicial process

Usability of MAO-A gene in the judicial process

The use of neurobiological evidence in sentencing mitigation

Trend in 167 cases of minors witnessing violence: The role played by COVID-19 pandemic

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