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Biology of Violence: Serotonin, Alcoholism, Hypoglycemia

NCJ Number
194554
Journal
Criminal Justice Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2002 Pages: 20-24
Author(s)
S. Paul Rossby Ph.D.
Date Published
2002
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study looked at the relationship between low serotonin levels, type-2 alcoholism, and hypoglycemia and the biological relationship between those syndromes and impulsive violent acts.
Abstract
The author presents scientific research and case law in an examination of the "serotonin defense." The term serotonin defense refers to the idea that men who suffer from low levels of serotonin, type-2 alcoholism (male hereditary alcoholism), and hypoglycemia are biologically incapable of controlling their violent behavior. The 1982 development of the research underlying the defense and the original Finnish research on prison inmates linking these syndromes to increased incidence of impulsive violent behavior is presented. The author provides an overview of the function of the limbic system in behavior and impulse control and an overview of the potential effects of each syndrome on biological impulse control abilities. The use of the defense in a legal case, State v. Sanders, is presented. Sanders’ defense attorneys employed the serotonin defense in a double murder case where there was no psychological basis for a traditional insanity defense. The author closes with an assessment tool for practitioners to use in determining whether a defendant’s violence impulse control is biologically impaired by the effects of low serotonin, type-2 alcoholism, and hypoglycemia.