NCJ Number
56511
Journal
Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology, and Police Science Volume: 45 Dated: (1955) Pages: 675-678
Date Published
1955
Length
4 pages
Annotation
ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN CRIMINAL AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR AND VARIOUS BIOCHEMICAL FACTORS--HYPOGLYCEMIA, CALCIUM DEFICIENCIES, ABNORMAL ENDOCRINE GLAND ACTIVITY--ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
IN RESEARCH LITERATURE THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OCCURRING AT A TIME WHEN THE OFFENDER WAS EXPERIENCING SOME CHEMICAL ABNORMALITY. HYPOGLYCEMIA, IN MEDIUM AS WELL AS MAJOR STATES, HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE RELATED WITH CRIMES SUCH AS THEFT, VIOLENCE, AND PETTY LARCENY IN CONNECTION WITH THE FRANTIC ATTEMPT TO SECURE FOOD, ESPECIALLY SWEETS, AND WITH TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS OCCURRING IN INSTANCES DURING WHICH LOW BLOOD SUGAR IMPAIRS JUDGMENT, SENSORY PERCEPTION, AND MOTOR REACTION. AGGRESSIVENESS IS AN OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTIC OF HYPOGLYCEMIC GENERATED CRIMINALITY, AS IS EXCITEMENT. PSYCHOLOGIC TRAITS OF HYPOGLYCEMIA ARE HAZY THINKING, LOSS OF ASSOCIATIONS, IMPAIRMENT OF MORAL SENSE AND WILL POWER, IRRITABILITY, AND NEGATIVISM. HYPOGLYCEMIA IS SUSPECTED AS THE CAUSE OF CRIMINALITY WHEN THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE IS NOT PSYCHOLOGICALLY MOTIVATED, WHEN THERE IS AMNESIA FOR THE WHOLE INCIDENT OR FOR SINGLE DETAILS, OR WHEN PHYSICAL CONDITIONS LIKE TREMOR AND DEEP SLEEP FOLLOW THE CRIMINAL EVENT. CALCIUM-STARVED PERSONS EVIDENCE ANTISOCIAL ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS, ARE HIGH STRUNG, AND REACT VIOLENTLY TO OPPOSITION AND CRITICISM. THEY SUFFER FROM MUSCLE IRRITABILITY, AND USUALLY HAVE SOME TWITCHING OF THE FACE AND NECK. THERE IS A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENDOCRINE GLAND ACTIVITY AND AGGRESSIVE AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR. THE THYROID AND THYROXIN, PARATHYRIN, ADRENALIN, AND CORTIN HAVE VERY DEFINITE EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN AND ON BEHAVIOR. EXCITABILITY AND NERVOUSNESS, AN INCREASE IN SENSITIVITY, IRRITABILITY, AND A TENDENCY TOWARDS AGGRESSIVENESS AT THE LEAST PROVOCATION ARE BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS OF VARIOUS ENDOCRINE ABNORMALITIES. CASES OF CRIMINALITY PRESUMED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH ALL THESE TYPES OF BIOCHEMICAL MALFUNCTIONS ARE REVIEWED. (DAG)