NCJ Number
230631
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: May-June 2010 Pages: 209-223
Date Published
May 2010
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Violence and murder has its roots in biological, psychological, and sociological factors. This article will focus on one specific element of the biological aspects of violence and murder, specifically neurological and neuropsychological aspects.
Abstract
The author will provide a literature review contrasting structural brain abnormalities and dysfunction (neuropathology) and brain behavior (neuropsychological) relational attributes to violence, aggression, and homicidal behavior in particular. After reviewing the literature, the author will address how these brain related structural and functional correlates to violence are utilized in court proceedings. Specifically the article questions how expert witnesses can integrate neurological and especially neuropsychological data to address psycholegal issues such as mitigation, freewill, and moral culpability, especially within death penalty and murder cases. The author provides recommendations for the practicing forensic neuropsychologist evaluating homicide cases. Tables and references (Published Abstract)