See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/323463937

The Anatomy of Violence: The Biological Roots of Crime

Article in Journal of Criminal Justice Education · February 2018

DOI: 10.1080/10511253.2018.1445334

CITATIONS READS

2 8,811

2 authors, including:

Ian A Silver
RTI International
49 PUBLICATIONS 108 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Adverse Psychological Effects View project

The Sources of Statistical Biases Series View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Ian A Silver on 08 December 2020.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Journal of Criminal Justice Education

ISSN: 1051-1253 (Print) 1745-9117 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rcje20

The Anatomy of Violence: The Biological Roots of

Crime

Ian Silver & Joseph L. Nedelec

To cite this article: Ian Silver & Joseph L. Nedelec (2018): The Anatomy of
Violence: The Biological Roots of Crime, Journal of Criminal Justice Education, DOI:
10.1080/10511253.2018.1445334

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2018.1445334

Published online: 28 Feb 2018.

Submit your article to this journal

Article views: 68

View Crossmark data

Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at

http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=rcje20
Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 2018

Book Review

Raine, Adrian. 2013. The anatomy of violence: the biological roots of crime.
New York: Pantheon. ISBN 978-0-307-37884-2. pp. 478, $35.00 (USD), hbk.

The scholarly examination of criminal behaviors and violence has historically

been dominated by sociological viewpoints wherein the entirety of etiological
factors is placed external to the individual. Recently, however, scholars have
recognized the importance of individual differences as explanatory agents in
assessing the causes of crime and a great deal of cutting-edge empirical
research has been produced supporting this contention. In The Anatomy of Vio-
lence: The Biological Roots of Crime, Adrian Raine presents a meticulous
examination of a wide swath of empirical evidence that illustrates human
behavior is developed through biology and reinforced by sociology. Raine’s pur-
pose in the book is threefold: (1) to emphasize the importance of individual
biological roots and their interaction with important sociological factors in
explaining crime and violence; (2) to highlight the numerous practical and real-
istic potential policies that can be derived from a biosocial perspective; and
(3) to present the biosocial perspective of neurocriminology in a way that is
readily digestible to the novice reader. Raine successfully accomplishes these
tasks by examining four themes in the 11 chapters of the book.
After the introductory chapter, Raine discusses the first theme of the book:
the evolutionary and genetic foundations of a biosocial perspective. Over the
course of two chapters, Raine outlines how evolutionary processes have influ-
enced the differential survival of genetic material over eons. Additionally, the
discussion highlights the reasons why aggressive and violent behaviors remain
written in the genetic code of human beings illustrating the beneficial effects
of such behaviors to survival and reproduction. Raine’s application of evolu-
tionary concepts to criminal behavior spans a wide range of issues from altru-
ism to sperm competition and is an impressive introduction for those who are
unfamiliar to such topics. Additionally, Raine’s coverage of the genetic basis
to crime touches upon the vast array of behavioral and molecular genetic
research illustrating the genetic underpinnings to violence and aggression.
Throughout his discussion, Raine repeatedly emphasizes the interactive influ-
ence of biological and social factors and provides a number of excellent exam-
ples to highlight this point (something which he does throughout the entire
book).
The second theme discussed by Raine is a detailed examination of the
human brain’s influence on criminal behavior. Given that much of Raine’s own
2 BOOK REVIEW

research is rooted in a neurocriminological perspective, the majority of the

discussion is derived from studies completed by his colleagues and himself.
Raine provides evidence outlining how specific sections of the human brain can
influence behavior. For example, he describes how a malfunctioning prefrontal
cortex, posterior cingulate, anterior cingulate, amygdala, and/or hippocampus
can predispose an individual to engage in criminal behavior. Leveraging some
of his most well-known studies, Raine provides brain scans indicating the vari-
ety of differences between criminal and non-criminal individuals as well as
between offenders who have committed qualitatively different types of crimes
(e.g. violent vs. white-collar crime). In addition to the discussion of neurocrim-
inology, Raine outlines the research in the sub-field of psychophysiology (e.g.
heart rate, skin conductance). The detailed coverage of the empirical evidence
relating neuronal and hormonal factors to criminality found in this section of
the book is reason enough for it to be found on any criminologist’s shelves;
however, the “behind-the-scenes” discussions of the trials and tribulations
faced by Raine and his colleagues illuminates the difficulties (and triumphs) of
conducting empirical research.
The third theme of the book highlights the correlation between environmen-
tal factors such as malnourishment and prenatal exposure to teratogens (e.g.
nicotine and alcohol) and the resulting biological malfunctions that impact
behavior. For example, Raine outlines the abundance of research concluding
that prenatal smoking and heavy metal consumption correlate with higher
levels of antisocial behavior. Additionally, Raine presents an empirically sup-
ported argument that micronutrient deficiencies and other nutrition-related
factors (e.g. omega-3 levels) can influence crime rates both between and
within countries. Raine openly acknowledges the difficulties that some crimi-
nologists will have with accepting the diet-antisocial behavior link and thus
delivers a very clear and convincing discussion in anticipation of such skepti-
cism. The primary benefit of this discussion is the manner in which it sets up
the next theme of the book: the pragmatic aspects of a biosocial perspective.
The concluding theme is an examination of the intervention programs and
the legal implications produced by biosocial criminology. Raine argues for the
implementation of early intervention programs and nutrition-enhancement pro-
grams. Programs such as hot lunch nutrition, parental training, behavioral
training could effectively reduce antisocial behavior. Raine illustrates the ben-
eficial effects of early life nutrition by discussing the research project per-
formed in Mauritius where a significant correlation between enhanced early
nutrition and a reduction in antisocial behavior was observed. Similarly, Raine
advocates for viewing criminal violence as a clinical disorder and for an appro-
priately clinical (including proactive) response. From a legal standpoint, Raine
argues against the concept of complete free will and indicates that an individ-
ual’s behavior is constrained by sociological and biological predispositions.
Rather than argue for complete legal non-responsibility, however, Raine’s final
argument contextualizes the limitations of the current legal system and
current treatment programs and emphasizes the need for the legal system to
 JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION 3

recognize the relevance of neurocriminological research. Readers of Raine’s

book are well-informed of the optimistic and evidence-based ways in which a
biosocial perspective can be employed to guide policy—a stark contrast to the
draconian slippery slope arguments often proffered by opponents of (or those
who simply misunderstand) biosocial criminology.
Overall, Raine’s book provides evidence that will be comprehensible for
advanced undergraduate and graduate students who have a limited knowledge
of the biosocial perspective. The topics covered will be of interest to students
and experts in theory, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. Those
already familiar with biosocial research will find Raine’s book an excellent
summary of the available literature on neurocriminology and Raine’s discussion
of the utility of a biosocial perspective is of particular importance to the field.
Ultimately, Raine convincingly explains that violent criminals function abnor-
mally at the biological level (i.e. criminal violence is a medical issue) and pro-
grams developed to prevent, treat, and rehabilitate offenders should account
for both biological and sociological predispositions. It is no suprise, then, that
this book was awarded the 2015 Book of the Year Award by the Biosocial
Criminology Association.

© 2018 Ian Silver and Joseph L. Nedelec

School of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati
Email: joseph.nedelec@uc.edu
https://doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2018.1445334

View publication stats