CRIM1011 Assignment PDF

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POSITIVISM (BIOLOGICAL THEORY) The crime Bradley Waldroup got into an altercation with his wife Penny over leaving the house with her friend Leslie Bradshaw. This led to Waldroup murdering Leslie Bradshaw and attempting to murder his wife Penny. Why did the crime occur? Waldroup’s defence team relied on biological theories to assert that the murder and attempted murder were conditioned by a ‘genetic variant and abusive upbringing’ (Barras 2018). Positivism suggests that these characteristics made Waldroup genetically susceptible to antisocial and criminal behaviour (Ling, Umbach and Raine 2019). Biological theories regarding positivist criminology state that ‘criminal or delinquent behaviour’ can be heightened with certain biological characteristics such as neurotransmitters (Bernard, Snipes, Gerould and Vold 2016: 62). Waldroup’s genes had monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) which elicits anti-social behaviour by catabolising neurotransmitters (Bernard et al. 2016: 72). The defence attorney claimed that Waldroup’s violent and aggressive behaviour could be explained through the biological characteristic of the MAOA gene. Positivist criminology accentuates that Waldroup’s violent and aggressive behaviour is instigated by ‘low MAOA which results in high levels of dopamine and norepinephrine’ (Bernard et al. 2016: 72). Conversely, recent biological theories suggest that biological predisposition can only be activated with the addition of an environmental variable (Ling et al. 2019). A study by Caspi and colleagues (Caspi, McClay, Moffitt, Mill, Martin, Craig, Taylor and Poulton 2002) established that the relationship between childhood maltreatment and insufficient MAOA predisposes aggressive behaviours, with an MAOA gene alone not strongly predicting future aberrant behaviour. Positivism theory suggests that Waldroup’s genetic makeup combined with childhood abuse can explain the cause of his criminality (Barras 2018). Furthermore, a study by Mednick (Mednick, Pollock, Volavka and Gabrielli 1982) found a link between brain damage and criminal behaviour. Positivism theory suggests that Waldroup’s criminal behaviour could be explained by suffering years of household abuse and thus having a higher chance of obtaining brain injuries. How should it be dealt with? Positivism focuses on the displacement of free will which is evident in the biological theory of crime. The criminal justice system should focus on the offender with rehabilitation as the main principle. Waldroup should enter a rehabilitation clinic to prevent further crime. Studies show that drugs such as lithium carbonate can regulate neurotransmitter levels, reducing antisocial behaviours (Bernard et al. 2010: 73). Positivism theory suggests that Waldroup should

be given medication and various treatment programs to decrease the risk of criminal behaviour. Furthermore, an increase of dopamine and serotonin which reduces antisocial and violent behaviour can occur through a diet change (Bernard et al. 2010: 73). Waldroup could change his diet to potentially reduce the likelihood of committing crimes. References Barras, C. (2018) The controversial debut of genes in criminal cases, BBC News. 30 May 2018, available at http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180530-the-controversial-debut-ofgenes-in-criminal-cases [accessed 18 September 2018]. Bernard, T.J., J.B. Snipes, A.L. Gerould and G.B. Vold (2016) Vold’s Theoretical Criminology, New York: Oxford University Press. Caspi, A., J. McClay, T.E. Moffitt, J. Mill, J. Martin, I.W. Craig, A. Taylor and R. Poulton (2002) ‘Role of genotype in the cycle of violence in maltreated children’, Science 297(5582): 851-854. Ling, S., R. Umbach and A. Raine (2019) ‘Biological explanations of criminal behaviour’, Psychol Crime Law 25(6): 626-640. Mednick, S., V. Pollock, J. Volavka and W. Gabrielli (1982) ‘Biology and violence’ in M. Wolfgand and N. Weiner (eds) Criminal Violence, Beverly Hills, CA: Sage....