Presented by Clare Malone

Is there a biological reason why some people become violent offenders? This is an area of biology with many legal, ethical, and societal implications. Tonight we will focus on what the biology can, and cannot, tell us about the causes of violent behavior. We will talk about the studies that have been done, their results, and their limitations. Along the way we will take a crash course in neuroscience and human genetics, as well as examine two real world cases where biological evidence was used in criminal trials. By the end of the evening, we hope you will have a solid understanding of the neurobiological and genetic studies that have been done on violent behavior so that you can make an informed decision about how you feel about the use of this science in society.