Further Elucidating the Genetic Architecture of Stalking

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

Abstract

The phenomena of stalking represents a constellation of behaviors which, taken together, comprise a criminal act involving the unwanted pursuit and harassment of one individual by another. Criminologists have cast growing amounts of light on the outcome of stalking, yet there is much research needed in order to better understand this behavior from a biosocial perspective. Indeed, only recently have scholars begun the probe the neurological and genetic underpinnings of this complex trait. The current study aims to further expand this line of research by examining two functional polymorphisms (COMTrs737865 and COMTrs4680) which have been previously tied to a variety of pathological traits, and which emergent evidence has linked with stalking outcomes. More specifically, the current analysis tests the possibility that certain factors—both environmental and biological—might moderate the impact of COMT on stalking outcomes in a sample of college males.

Authors

• Matt R. Nobles, Sam Houston State University

• Brian B. Boutwell, Saint Louis University

• Todd Armstrong, Sam Houston State University

• Danielle Boisvert, Sam Houston State University

• David Gangitano, Sam Houston State University