Brains of young Dutch criminals to be examined in Justice Min. experiment

The WODC, the scientific research agency of the Ministry of Security and Justice, believes that biological factors should be taken into account when addressing young criminals. Researchers Liza Cornet and Katy de Kogel therefore mapped out how neuroscience can be used in the juvenile justice system, NU.nl reports

Over the past years much knowledge was gained about the influence of biological factors in aggression and crime - brain studies showed a link between the structure and activity of certain brain areas and criminal behavior at a young age. But according to the two researchers, this knowledge is hardly ever used by the judiciary, who focus more on social and psychological factors like drug use and friends. 

Cornet and De Kogel believe that taking information about the brain into account, can help get a clearer picture about young criminals. "It isp art of the puzzle pieces needed to explain human behavior", they write.

State Secretary Klaas Dijkhoff of Security and Justice agrees with the two researchers and is therefore launching an experiment among young criminals to see whether knowledge about biological factors can help prevent these kids from committing crimes again, he wrote in a letter to parliament, NOS reports. The experiment will include measuring the heart rate to detect stress and increasing aggression, hormone treatments and brain examinations.