Sex hormones in murderers and assaulters

Abstract

A study of hormonal leveb of violent and nonviolent offenders f a d to establish any signijcant differences among murderers, assaulters, and controk. While the results do not suggest a contributory role for random blood hormone levels in f a d i t d n g aggressive behavior, further study of complex interactions is necessary to rule out endocrinological factors.A fundamental yet unanswered question is whether men who commit murder and other acts of physical violence are biologically different from nonviolent men. In particular, is the endocrine system of violent men programmed to promote violent behavior? These questions are based on the classical association of the male sex hormone, testosterone, with human aggression, an association for which the scientific validation is at best equivocal. If it could be clearly demonstrated that hormonal or other biological factors are unequivocally related to violent acts such as murder or physical assault, it might be possible to predict which men are prone to such behavior or which men are Iiely to repeat such behavior having been apprehended once. In addition, it might also be feasible to establish treatment regimens based on the abnormal biological parameters exhibited by violent men.Testosterone is the major virilizing hormone. At the time of puberty in the male, the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis "awakens" as the secretion of gonadotmpin releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus increases. GnRH stimulates the release of the gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), from the pituitary gland. LH stimulates testosterone production and release from the Leydig cells of the testes, and FSH,

Sex Hormone Profiles in Pedophilic and Incestuous Men

“…The results for FSH and LH were non-significant as were the results for testosterone, contrary to earlier reports (e.g., Bain et al, 1987Bain et al, , 1988bBerlin, 1983). As is known, these hormonal differences can be influenced by age.…”

“…Prolactin (a non-steroidal hormone) was assessed using the Bio-Rad Lypho Check Kit. The steroid hormones, androstenedione, estradiol, testosterone, and DHEAS were determined by the standard methods, as in Bain et al ( 1987Bain et al ( , 1988b who used purified radioirnrnuno preparations as standards.…”

“…Rada and his colleagues (1983) and other investigators, using different control groups have failed to replicate the link between past history of violent crime and elevated levels of plasma testosterone (Bain, Langevin, Dickey, & Ben-Aron, 1987;Bradford & McLean, 1984;.…”

Testosterone and dominance in men

“…In another group of 113 male inmates, aged 17 to 18 years, found that those high in T committed more violent crimes, were judged more harshly by the parole board, and violated prison rules more often than those low in T. In yet another group of 490 prison inmates, their mean age 20 years, T was related to violence of the crime, and with violating rules in prison, especially rules involving overt confrontation, leading the investigators to characterize high T individuals as "dominant and confrontational" . On the other hand, Bain et al (1987) found no significant difference in T between men charged with murder or assault, and those charged with property crimes.…”

Serum testosterone in violent and nonviolent young offenders

“…In studies of criminals, testosterone has generally been associated with violence (Dabbs, Frady, Carr, & Besch, 1987;Ehrenkranz, Bliss, & Sheard, 1974;Kreuz & Rose, 1972) with the exception of a study by Bain, Langevin, Dickey, and Ben-Aron (1987) in which no difference was found in average levels of testosterone between samples of 13 murderers, 14 assaulters, and 14 controls. Dabbs et al (1987) also found among nonviolent inmates that higher testosterone was associated with longer sentences.…”