Neurocognitive Functioning in Late-Onset Offenders

• In Event: Neurocognitive and Neurobiological Mechanisms Underlying Antisocial Behaviors Across Development: Evidence From Three Countries

Abstract

Although longitudinal studies have documented that a group of offenders begin offending in adulthood, there is a dearth of knowledge on the neurobiological factors associated with such late-onset offending. This study examines two domains of cognitive functioning in individuals whose involvement with the criminal justice system begins after age 23 years. Analyses were conducted on 402 participants in a prospective, longitudinal study who were assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and Trail Making Test at age 23. Self-reports and official crime records from district courts were obtained at age 23, and self-reports of fines, arrests, and convictions were collected at age 53. Compared to non-offenders, late-onset offenders were characterized by higher IQ scores, particularly for verbal intelligence (p < .001), after controlling for age, race, and sex. Late-onset offenders also exhibited better executive function compared to non-offenders (p < .01). Results show that neurocognitive functioning may distinguish between different offending types. Given that lower intelligence has been found in offender groups such as life-course persistent and adolescence-limited offenders, the findings suggest that there are different mechanisms underlying late-onset offending.

Authors

• Olivia Choy, Nanyang Technological University

• Adrian Raine, University of Pennsylvania