Justice goes to the brains of young criminals watch – NOS

Justice is going to be a trial under the young criminals to see how knowledge of the brain and the nervous system can help to combat crime and young offenders to treat. Secretary of state Dijkhoff of Justice writes to the Second Room that neuroscience can contribute to a better approach to juvenile criminals.

Dijkhoff is based on research of the scientific research agency of the ministry of Security and Justice, the WODC. There is a lot of knowledge is added about the influence of neurological factors in aggression and crime, but that is with the ministry of justice, as yet, little used, say the researchers of the WODC.

At the approach of criminals is up to now mainly focused on social and psychological factors, such as problems at school or at home. Neuroscientific knowledge is “a part of the pieces of the puzzle that are necessary to human behavior to explain”, in the WODC-report, that today also to the Second Room,

Heart rate

In one of the tests the heart rate is measured in order to stress and increasing aggression to identify. There are also hormoonmetingen done by the subjects.

Dijkhoff writes in his letter to parliament that the results of such testing, the young people can offer insight in their own behaviour: “For the person himself, it can be helpful, because he is in an early stage pointed to an increased stress level.” He acknowledges that there are ethical aspects to the use of neuroscience research in the treatment of criminals.

Physiological factors are not a criterion for criminal behavior, but are always a part, said organized crime researcher Katy the Bullet in the NOS Radio 1 Journaal. “Social and psychological factors are given plenty of attention in the current treatment plans. But that biological factors are also part of the puzzle. You have all three of them need to have a good behandelprofiel.”

in Addition, you can research into biological factors for prevention are used. “You might even at very small children already can look whether there are factors which problem in hand work. That you can early on, so that you, the parents and the child can help so that it does not lead to crime.”

nutritional Supplements

The WODC says that juvenile detention centers should look at the possible positive influence of dietary supplements and brain games. Further, certain computer games with a therapeutic or educational approach could be of treatment programmes. Research would have shown that have a positive impact on the young people.

more than a year ago, it announced that the Netherlands was the first country in the world to prisoners nutritional supplements to to to investigate whether the aggression can be countered.