Criminal Biology Essay - 2307 Words

In order to answer the above question, it must be understood what is meant by the term ‘the race-crime debate’. Bowling and Philips (2002) found the ‘race and crime’ debate has largely been detached from discussion of ethnic differences in the extent and nature of victimisation and how patterns of offending and victimisation interrelate. Bowling and Philips (2002) found that until recently the ‘race and crime’ debate had been preoccupied with other issues. The first being a question to whether people from ethnic minority groups are ‘more likely to commit criminal offences’, contrary to those from the majority of the white population. ‘This debate has turned on an analysis of ‘official’ crime statistics, especially arrest and prison data –†¦show more content†¦Among chronic offenders and serious offenders Ellis (1990) found that they are most likely to posses the defective biological ‘hyperâ €™ and ‘hypo’ functioning biochemical and neuropsychological conditions which Ellis assumes to be ‘criminogenic’. In turn this is believed to ‘increase individual potential or predispositions for criminal behaviour’ (Hawkins 2010). Biological predispositions ‘endow individuals with personality and behavioural tendencies which then increases their risk for crime involvement’ (Hawkins 2010, P48). Based on this, if criminality is a product of biological dysfunctions then biological traits should be disproportionally found among chronic offenders (Hawkins 2010). Contrary to this, individuals with low biological predispositions for criminality should rarely be found in chronic offenders. Based on this Hawkins is suggesting if individuals have cognitive problems then they are prone to crime, but this is not always the case as there is some strong evidence which may suggest otherwise. In my opinion not all individuals with psychological problems commit crime. Hawkins is also suggesting that every individual that commits criminal activity will show signs of pathological problems. Not every criminal is ill or insane. The uses of representative samples are critical in the assessment of biological bases of race and class differences in offending (Hawkins 2010). Biocriminal research has not paid attention to nuances in theShow MoreRelatedHow we came to know what we know now about anato my and physiology has always been a great curiosity1000 Words   |  4 Pagesdiscoveries in the future. When you think of anatomy you imagine something like this picture below. But here is where it all began†¦. The beginning of anatomy and physiology, ironically, began with a curiosity in biology. The first man to create an important contribution to biology was Alcmaeon, in the 5th century, BC. He was the first scientist to have worked with dissection. His focus was in trying to find out from where and how human intelligence came to be. His research never intended to beRead MoreHow Hereditary And Environment Has Affected The People Around Me1457 Words   |  6 Pagesdescendents of Jonathan Edwards were identified out of which more than 295 graduates were college graduates and among them 13 came to be college presidents or principals and one a Vice-President of America. The records showed that there were no convicted criminals among them. Defining environment The word environment is derived from French word environs which means â€Å"around†. Environment as the term indicates , is anything immediately surrounding an object and experting a direct influence on it. Kimball youngRead MoreThe Theory Of Scientific Abuse929 Words   |  4 Pagesprograms. A new study was born called eugenics. Is this considered scientific abuse, or were these ideas present in the study of evolution all along and were just merely expanded upon as science advances? The idea that evolution is beyond the realms of biology was popularized in the mid 19th century. Spencer became a prominent scientist in this field. He constructed his ideology around Darwin’s theory and compared society to a biological organism, stating in Progress: Its Law and Cause that â€Å"the changeRead MoreGenetically Vigorous Populations Essay1508 Words   |  7 Pagestolerance of environmental extremes, dispersal and colonizing ability, the timing of seasonal and annual cycles (phenology), disease resistance, and many other traits†¦to ignore genetic variation is to ignore one of the fundamental forces that shape the biology of living organisms† (Falk, D., Knapp, E., Guerrant, E., 2001). Genetic diversity also affords different organisms to change with the ever-changing environment around them. Environmental variation, over time, is known as natural or historic rangeRead MoreScience947 Words   |  4 Pagesfingerprinting involves isolating DNA from a ti ssue sample such as blood or hair. Very often, particularly when tissue samples are obtained from crime scenes, the amount of DNA available for DNA fingerprinting is extremely small. Fortunately, a molecular biology technique known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allows the DNA sample to be amplified considerably. In essence, this technique is an artificial version of DNA replication. The DNA sample is firstly added to a mixture of DNA nucleotides and DNARead MoreGel Electrophoresis: Separating DNA and RNA848 Words   |  4 Pagesthe buffer. The heated mixture is then poured into the gel mold. When the mixture starts to cool, it undergoes polymerization. This is when the sugar polymers crosslink with each other, causing the solution to form a semi-solid matrix (Molecular Biology CyberLab). The more agarose that is used and dissolved, the firmer the gel will be. Typical concentrations used are between 0.3% to 2% (Buckingham, 2012). The concentration depends on the type of analysi s needed. A higher concentration of agaroseRead MoreBilogy: DNA Fingerprinting Essay1116 Words   |  5 Pagesin for testing. When the testing is complete the police know who the criminal is by their fingerprint. DNA Fingerprinting has also proven effective with miss person cases. â€Å"The concept of DNA profiling was developed by British scientist Alec Jeffreys and first presented to the public by him in 1984.† DNA Fingerprinting has helped solve thousands of murder cases. The first ever use of DNA Fingerprinting was to solve a criminal case that occurred in England in 1987. The case was that two teenageRead MoreMolecular Biology Lab Report Essay1659 Words   |  7 PagesMolecular Biology Lab Report Mapping DNA using Restriction Enzymes Ava II and Pvu II to cut Bacterial DNA Abstract The objective of this project is to map bacterial DNA, which is derived from E. coli, using restriction endonucleases with gel electrophoresis. The DNA fragments, after cutting has occurred, are separated using agarose gel electrophoresis. The DNA fragments are placed in the gel, and an electric current is run through the matrix of the gel-like agarose. Migration of the fragmentsRead MoreEffects Of Temperature On The Quality Of Dna Extracted From Manila Envelopes1526 Words   |  7 PagesEffects of temperature on the quality of DNA extracted from Manila envelopes Research Proposal Janet Boateng November 15,2014 First draft Forensic Biology 5410 Abstract/summary: In the case of mail threat to an individual, it is possible that DNA evidence could be left by the perpetrator on the adhesive strip of a manila envelope. The process of delivery mail via U.S. Postal Services may take from 3-7 business days, with temperature factoring into the qualityRead MoreThe Forensic Analysis Of Dna972 Words   |  4 PagesEmulation of the Forensic Analysis of DNA Introduction All living beings possess DNA that is unique to them.2 For this reason DNA is often used in criminal investigations to help ascertain a perpetrators identity1. In this lab we intend to mimic the methodology involved in such a process. DNA consists of thymine, guanine, cytosine and adenine in a double helix structure, in a sequence that is unique to each person.2 A lysis solution is to be used to safely isolate onion DNA from tissue, consisting