The definitive guide to violence? (Mind to Crime - Anne Moir, David Jessel)

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Product:	Mind to Crime - Anne Moir, David Jessel
Date:	16/11/00 (151 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Interesting theories.

Disadvantages: Cannot claim to be a complete answer

'A Mind to Crime' by Ann Moir and David Jessel is certainly not a light read. It is the result of a three year study of research and academic papers by the two authors, who attempt to explain not only why people commit crimes, but what can be done to prevent criminal behaviour. The answer - in a word - biology.

In our society, roughly 95% of all violent crime is committed by men. Not only that, but child abusers, domestic murderers, rapists and burglars have all been found to have different chemical imbalances and brain malfunctions from law abiding citizens.Hence the rationale that criminality can be likened to illness and should be treated as such.

The authors accept that this is not an exclusive theory and that cultural, social and economic factors all have a role in criminal behaviour. They also make no attempt to excuse crime - this is not 'bleeding hearts' liberalism. That said, their theories make interesting and thought provoking reading,which is consistently supported by research.

They demonstrate positive links between criminal activity and several 'biological' factors such as low verbal IQ,hyperactivity,chemical imbalances within the brain,hormones and abnormalities in brain structure. While some may see this as an all too convenient explanation, it is certainly compelling enough to make the reader question the effectiveness of our criminal justice system - what good is prison if those incarcerated cannot help their deviant behaviour any more than they can help having blue eyes or curly hair?

The authors qualifications add weight to their argument. Ann Moir is a doctor of genetics with a long record of producing television science dcumentaries, while David Jessel, also a producer specialising in legal documentaries, is an ex-barrister. While the book is perhaps intended more as
a psychology 'text' book, it is still interesting and simple enough for anyone with even a passing interest
in crime to read, enjoy and maybe learn from. The book is not meant to be an answer to crime - however, it is a valuable contribution to the understanding of what is a very complex and emotive subject.

It is only too easy for the lay person to read about crimes in newspapers or to see them on television and to make snap judgements that the perpetrators are 'evil' and should be sentenced to death or left to rot in prison. This book offers another alternative. It suggests ways in which criminal behaviour might be predicted (and thus prevented) before it actually happens.And, contraversially, it also intimates that it may be possible to 'cure' criminality, much in the way that doctors can mend a broken leg. You may not agree with this point of view, but can society afford to dismiss it out of hand, given that the cost to the taxpayer of juvenile crime alone is currently in excess of 7 billion pounds per year?

The authors don't claim to have discovered all the answers - however, they are certainly asking a very different question.One which should be approached with an open mind.

"A Mind to Crime" Ann Moir & David Jessel, Signet, ISBN 0451 19629 5

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