Researchers from the Mind Research Network in New Mexico have released a report which shows results that could significantly alter the criminal justice system. The reports indicate that by using neuroimaging data, scientists can be able to predict future criminal behavior. The study was carried for a period of about four years involving convicts from various prisoners. The study mainly involved research on the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). They sought to find out whether antisocial and impulsive behavior has a direct relationship. Inmates who were found to have a high brain activity or high anterior cingulate cortex activity were less likely to be arrested for deviant or criminal behavior in the future. Moreover, the reverse is also true. This paper briefly seeks to interrogate the merits and demerits of the study. The author will focus on cognitive development, environmental and physical changes, behavioral changes and the risks of attempting to predict antisocial behavior.
The research was carried out by experimenting with inmates. They were told to press a button when a letter X appeared on the screen and do nothing when a letter K appeared. Those that made a significant number of errors in the experiments were re-arrested 2.6 more times than those that made fewer errors. The experiment infers that those with low anterior cingulate cortex activity were less likely to be rational and thus commit more crimes. While this is true in some aspects, it is critical to understand that most white collars crimes among others require right thinking persons and involves a lot of rational thinkers to pull through.
In addition to this, environmental and physical changes are significant factors that determine whether to engage in criminal behavior or not. Edwin Sutherland, a renowned criminologist professor listed causes of recidivism as the inadequacy of the reformative methods and techniques employed by correctional institutions and the social psychology of the suspect. Therefore, there are numerous convincing arguments that seek to explain how recidivism occurs. This means that despite the fact the Mind Research Network report is prima facie convincing, a critical examination of its underlying theory, assumptions and inference could lead to a fundamental flaw. This conclusion is primary based on the fact the criminal behavior is majorly learnt behavior, which is significantly nurtured and enhanced by environmental and physical changes. A person who say, for example, has just been released from prison may feel inferior and rejected by the society. If such a person does not receive professional help irrespective of whether he has a high or low ACC activity, it is likely that he will be rearrested soon. Other crucial factors like family, slums and congestion and the high cost of leaving are not directly related to impulsiveness of a person. However, the circumstances of each case will be instrumental in determining the reactions of a person. If environmental factors require a sharp mind is more favorable to antisocial behavior, such definition can be quickly acquired by a high ACC person. This is in line with the accepted theory of evolution as advanced by Charles Darwin. Behavior changes are also heavily reliant on environmental changes and personality. There are many scenarios that a person jailed will find on the outside world that he left nonexistent. Therefore, adjusting to the same can be crucial factors.
Moreover, there are significant challenges posed by the prospects of trying to predict criminal behavior. For example, if the Research was to be adapted by the criminal justice system, it would require a significant amount of resources to police and monitor all the inmates who are released from the prison with a low ACC. Moreover; it would also defocus the police attention from other criminals. The police will be more focused in arresting recidivists while first time offenders may escape liability. In addition to this, the objective of the police service is to prevent crime rather than merely re-arresting criminals. It will also be extremely prejudicial to persons with low ACC. The police would simply have made up they mind that such a person will commit a crime which is contrary to accepted principles of natural justice. In additional it can cause a lot of collateral damage to the psychology of such individuals. However, on the brighter side, the research can be instrumental in reducing the rate of crime.
References
Beaver, K. M., & Walsh, A. (2011). The Ashgate research companion to biosocial theories of crime. New York: Ashgate Publishing.
Duke University. (2013, March 28). Brain Scans Might Predict Future Criminal Behavior. Retrieved May 10, 2013, from www.sciencedaily.com: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130328125319.htm
Wood, J. (2013, March 31). Brain Scans Could Predict Future Criminal Behavior. Retrieved May 10, 2013, from psychcentral.com: http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/03/31/brain-scans-could-predict-future-criminal-behavior/53207.html
