Head injury and offending

Abstract

This review paper considers the hypothesis that head injury may be a factor that predisposes to offending. Three major types of evidence are reviewed. The psychological changes that commonly follow significant head injury, such as irritability and impulsivity, could put the head injury victim at increased risk of committing criminal acts. Furthermore, and although methodologically flawed, follow-up studies of head injury victims and investigations of convicted violent offenders both give evidence consistent with the notion that head injury helps to precipitate crime. Some methodological and other points are also discussed.