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Neurodevelopmental and psychosocial risk factors in serial killers and…
Neurodevelopmental and psychosocial risk factors in serial killers and mass murderers
Overview:
Explores patterns linking early neurological traumas to serial offending.
Methodology: Conducted a systemic review following PRISMA guidelines.
Focuses on cases post 1900s, using peer-reviewed articles, journal sources, and legal reports.
Focuses mainly on head injuries, ASD, neurodevelopmental disorders and childhood trauma.
Key Findings:
Neurodevelopmental Factors:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):
The study found many offenders provided had a history of ASD.
Impairments in social interaction and communication. Presence of repetitive and restricted behaviors.
Research investigating the link between extreme violence and ASD is rare.
Head Injuries: Brain Scan Confirmed
More prevalent in serial offenders, with a study suggesting one in four have suffered a head injury.
Psychosocial Factors:
Childhood Trauma:
Most common trauma included physical and emotional abuse, as well as neglect and family dysfunction.
Family Dynamics:
Many of the offenders listed had a history of an unstable family environment. Includes domestic violence and separated parents.
Social Isolation:
A significant number of the listed offenders showed social insecurity and isolation making it difficult to form meaningful relationships.
Neurochemistry:
There have been reports suggesting neuro-chemical imbalance is correlated to aggression.
Low serotonin levels have been related to impulsive and self destructed violence. Elevated serotonin levels have been linked to aggression.
Hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis plays a critical and complex role in regulation of aggression.
Conclusions:
This paper highlights the importance for more research to understand the complex origins of extreme behavior and its correlation to early traumatic experiences.
Out of 239 offenders, 133 had no evidence of brain injury or ASD. 106 were found to have evidence of ASD and / or head injury.
Arises from multiple factors rather than a single cause.
Vulnerabilities might influence behaviors, specifically when combined with trauma.
Reference:
Allely CS, Minnis H, Thompson L, Wilson P, Gillberg C. 2014. Neurodevelopmental and psychosocial risk factors in serial killers and mass murderers. Aggression and Violent Behavior. 19(3):288–301. doi:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2014.04.004
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359178914000305
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