Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Understanding Veterans Entangled in Criminal Justice

• In Event: The Politics of Punishment

Abstract

The court system often illustrates cultural incompetence when it comes to individuals who have multicultural experiences. This is particularly the case in legal situations that involved veterans entangled in criminal justice. Of course, most people agree that the primary interest of criminal courts is to ensure that justice is served when someone is charged with a criminal offense. Ideally, the first consideration is “did he or she actually commit the offense.” The typical logical applied after that consideration is resolved is to determine the level of punishment needed to ensure that justice has been served. What is logically missing in this process is the “why did he or she do it?” Our basic premise is that understanding the cultural influences behind a veteran defendants’ actions serves the requisites of justice but also serve society in potentially preventing future crimes. This paper will address the importance of utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to explaining the behavior of veteran defendants by laying the possible strategies employing the scientific research of Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology.

Authors

• William B. Brown, Western Oregon University

• Robery Stanulis, Forensic Psychology/Neuropsychology