Criminal Minds?

What exactly do we mean by a “criminal mind”? Nick Ross, presenter of BBC’s Crimewatch, who will chair this event, will try to discover whether it’s nature or nurture that makes a criminal, and whether this is even the right question to ask.

Our experts will explore the evidence behind criminal tendencies. Are we all capable of committing crimes?

It’s clear that mental illness and personality disorders often correlate with crime, but does this really mean that it’s all in the genes? Is there a “criminal personality”, or are social and economic factors more important in explaining why people break the law?

For example, psychopathy is a recognised personality disorder that involves antisocial behaviour. This disorder might be able to explain why people from the same social and economic backgrounds show differences in their tendency to commit crime.

So what makes a criminal mind? Genes, gender, personality, mental state, or all of the above? Our speakers will guide you through this minefield, and try to answer this question as well as addressing how society should deal with crime in the 21st century.

Organisers
The European Dana Alliance for the Brain and the British Neuroscience Association.

Speakers

Annie Bartlett, forensic psychiatrist, Holloway Prison, London
Steve Jones, geneticist, University College London
Tony Maden, forensic psychiatrist, Imperial College London

Chairman
Nick Ross, BBC Crimewatch