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Patient Profiles of Criminal Behavior in the Context of Traumatic Brain Injury
Author(s) -
Lane Kristy S.,
St. Pierre Maria E.,
Lauterbach Margo D.,
Koliatsos Vassilis E.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.13289
Subject(s) - aggression , traumatic brain injury , disinhibition , recidivism , psychosocial , context (archaeology) , psychology , clinical psychology , poison control , injury prevention , psychiatry , intervention (counseling) , frontal lobe , suicide prevention , human factors and ergonomics , medicine , medical emergency , paleontology , biology
Abstract Traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) can lead to significant post‐traumatic disturbances in mood and behavior, with the frontal lobes playing a key role in emotional and behavioral regulation. Injury to the frontal lobe can result in disinhibition and aggression which can result in police intervention and/or incarceration. We highlight four adult cases with a history of severe TBI with frontal lobe injuries and the presence of post‐ TBI criminal behaviors. There is evidence to support an anatomical basis for aggressive behaviors, yet there are other risk factors to be considered. Behaviors must be investigated thoroughly by obtaining adequate pre‐ and post‐ TBI psychiatric and psychosocial histories. By having a comprehensive understanding of aggression while appreciating the complex relationship between TBI , aggression, and premorbid risk factors, clinicians can more adequately treat patients with TBI , with the aim of potentially preventing criminal behaviors and recidivism.