Molecular Genetic Variation and Recidivism: An Investigation of Direct and Interactive Effects

• In Event: Genetic and Biological Influences on Criminal Behavior and its Correlates

Abstract

The relationship between molecular genetic variation and serious antisocial behavior is well established. Recently, a number of studies have extended this relationship to crime. These studies have found molecular genetic characteristics distinguish incarcerated samples from community samples and have shown that gene by environment (GxE) interactions predict arrest rates and self-reported criminal behavior in an incarcerated sample. The current study extends this literature by testing the relationship between molecular genetic variation and recidivism. This study considers a number of polymorphisms related to serotonergic function including MAOA-uVNTR and 5-HTTLPR. Models first test the direct effect of polymorphisms on recidivism. Next, GxE models consider the interactive effects of genetic polymorphisms and childhood adversity on risk for recidivism.

Authors

• Todd Armstrong, Sam Houston State University

• Brian B. Boutwell, Saint Louis University

• Danielle Boisvert, Sam Houston State University

• Matt R. Nobles, Sam Houston State University

• David Gangitano, Sam Houston State University